Could an elite college hitter fall to the Royals at #6?
The Royals got screwed by the draft lottery, shoved down to the #6 pick despite finishing with the second-worst record. But picking sixth doesn’t mean you are subject to the sixth-best talent. Teams play slot games and sometimes talented players fall in the draft over bonus demands. Travis Bazzana is considered one of the top talents in this year’s draft - the BEST player, according to some - and the Royals need to be ready to pounce on him if he falls to them at #6.
Originally from Sydney, Australia, Bazzana played on the U18 Baseball World Cup for Team Australia against top world talent. He came to the United States at age 18 and impressed scouts with his performance as an 18-year-old in the summer collegiate West Coast League. He went to Oregon State and excelled, earning second-team All-American honors last year, and first-team honors this year, while also being named Pac-12 Player of the Year. He also won Cape Cod League MVP honors last summer, hitting .375 to win a batting title.
A left-handed hitting second baseman, Bazzana hit .407 with 28 home runs in 60 games this year for the Beavers, while also stealing 16 bases. He has some of the best bat-to-ball skills in the draft with an 84 percent contact rate in his three collegiate seasons. His 25.8 percent walk rate was second among all Division I hitters.
MLB Pipeline writes he has an “advanced approach at the plate with a ton of raw power he taps into, though he can occasionally be susceptible to offspeed stuff on the outer half.” Baseball America writes he has an “unusual-looking swing with a deep bat tip behind his shoulder and a sizable leg kick, but he has always found the barrel at a high clip.” Prospects Live adds “His spray chart is a thing of beauty, utilizing the entire field with a compact, line drive swing with a ton of bat speed that is meant to do serious damage.” Keith Law doesn’t see a ton of upside left in the college product, but feels he can be an above-average regular.
Bazzana is a plus runner with good athleticism. Most observers seem to think Bazzana will be a second baseman at the pro level, although some think he could transition to left field or even center.
Keith Law: 3
MLB Pipeline: 1
Perfect Game: 3
In Jonathan Mayo’s latest mock draft at MLB Pipeline, he polls scouts on who Cleveland will take #1, with most agreeing Bazzana will be the top pick, although some think they will go with West Virginia’s JJ Wetherholt to save money. Mike Axisa at CBS Sports has Cleveland taking Wetherholt, with Bazzana sliding to the A’s at #4.
The consensus is that Bazzana is a top-three talent, but there is always the possibility that someone slides in the draft, and the Royals could find themselves with one of the best college bats in the country.
