Travis Bazzana has become the first Australian to be a Number 1 Draft Pick in the United States Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Cleveland Guardians.

With a USD$8.95 million signing bonus, he has become one of the highest-paid athletes in Australia.

Travis’s parents, Jenny and Gary Bazzana, grew up in Lismore and couldn’t be more proud of his achievement, but it isn’t entirely surprising.

“It was amazing, quite surreal because it was such a big life- changing announcement. It was just satisfying to see him on the path that he wants to be on.”

(Taken moments before the announcement was made, Jenny, Travis and Gary were together with him in the US. Image Credit Gary Bazzana)

“It's something that he's been working desperately towards - being as good as he could be at the game. From the age of primary school, he dreamed about playing in the major leagues or being selected as a professional. So he's been working towards something like this for probably a decade.”

Baseball is in the family. Gary played Junior baseball in Lismore and went to school at Richmond River High School after primary school at Nimbin Central.” 

Jenny went to Kadina High School.

Gary says, “I have fond memories of playing in Lismore, and I’ve had the opportunity to take some kid's teams back there to play at tournaments, such as the Timberjacks Tournament.”

(Travis (9) representing Ryde at the 2015 national little league championships at Albert Park. Image credit: Gary Bazzana)

“Last weekend, Travis played his first professional game in the minor leagues. It probably wasn't his ideal start. He was not having a fantastic day by his standards.” Although it doesn’t seem he is disappointing the fans and headlines are crediting him with what he achieves.

 “He's had a really good ability to bounce back from a rough day,’ Gary says, and he is getting a lot of in game practise, “in the professional leagues, they play six days a week.”

Travis hit his first home run in MLB this week on Wednesday. “Australian slugger Travis Bazzana hit a grand slam home run on Thursday, marking a special home debut for the Lake County Captains.” This was his third game since signing.

(Travis Bazzana)

“He's been in America for three years,” Gary reported. Gary and Jenny visited him to see him play and when the announcement was made about which teams were selected. 

"We also had a chance to go with him when he signed officially with the Cleveland guardians team and spent some induction time there.”

To provide a bit of background, Travis is playing in the High A’s league. He will go up or down in the league progression, depending on how he plays. A bit of trivia, only three No. 1 drafts did not make it to play with the big guns in a Major League team. The odds are that he will be there.

Eric Balnar from Baseball Australia says, “Travis will be one of the highest-paid Australian sportspeople for 2024. If he makes the MLB, his contract could be worth millions. The minimum MLB salary is USD $740,000. The average is USD$4.5 million per year.”

How it works:

There are nine starting spots in the line-up on an MLB team. You try to work your way up the levels to secure that spot. 

1. MLB – The best in the world. You’ll see this on TV.

2. AAA (or “Triple A”) – The level below the Major Leagues. Think of this as your AFL reserves. These players are probably good enough to be in the MLB and many have, but are not quite consistent enough to hold a regular spot.

3. AA (or Double A) – Often the league reserved for an organisations best prospects. You see a lot of players make the jump from Double-A to the MLB because they are playing against the best of the best young prospects at this level.

4. High-A – The league where the best young players, right below Double-A, go. This is where Travis is. He will play as many games as he needs hhere. When he puts up good enough numbers, he will play Double-A. When he plays well enough at Double-A, then they will call him up.

5. Low-A – An introductory to travelling professional baseball for many new professionals.

6. Rookie Ball – Basically you stay at a complex and work out and train, but don’t play travel ball games.

Fingers crossed, it won't be long until we see Travis playing in the MLB.