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The Cleveland Guardians are still under a week into the Travis Bazzana leadoff-hitter experiment, but it’s already returning some impressive results, possibly making it a long-term option for the team.
The 23-year-old always had the skillset and potential to be one of the game’s best leadoff hitters, and now we’re seeing that come to fruition.
Through Bazzana’s first five games in this new role, he has a .421 average (8-for-19) with a 1.318 OPS. Five of the rookie’s hits have come as doubles, and he’s even hit a home run, too.
It’s not just what Bazzana is individually doing at the plate that has made this such a successful adjustment for the Guardians; it’s also what the hitters behind him are doing, which is allowing Cleveland’s offense to find a new stride.
With Bazzana’s high on-base percentage, the Guardians were hoping that his ability to get on base would open up more scoring opportunities for the top of the lineup, and that’s exactly what’s happening.
May 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Travis Bazzana (37) reacts after being caught stealing during the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The Guardians' win over the Washington Nationals was a perfect example of what having Bazzana hitting first can do for Cleveland’s offense.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Bazzana doubled to put himself in scoring position. The next batter up, Jose Ramirez, hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Austin Hedges, to get the Guardians on the board. Then, Chase DeLauter stepped to the plate, ripped a single, and scored Bazzana, giving Cleveland the lead.
Bazzana insisted after his two-hit day on Wednesday that his game plan at the plate hasn’t changed when hitting leadoff.
“Just trying to stick with a good process,” explained the rookie.
“I’ll kind of harp on it all year long is that, if I swing and good pitches, I’m on time, my preparation for the game is good, the extra base hits, the walks, those things will come. There might be some waves, but I’ve just been on the process, and I’m comfortable leading off.”
That mindset that Bazzana talks about is exactly what a lead-off hitter should have, so it’s no surprise to see him thrive in this spot.
With how Bazzana has looked at the plate and how well he’s fit into the lineup as the leadoff hitter, this change is already looking like a successful one for the Guardians, and it doesn’t look like Cleveland will be going back anytime soon.
Guardians Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Guardians. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
Continue reading...
The 23-year-old always had the skillset and potential to be one of the game’s best leadoff hitters, and now we’re seeing that come to fruition.
Through Bazzana’s first five games in this new role, he has a .421 average (8-for-19) with a 1.318 OPS. Five of the rookie’s hits have come as doubles, and he’s even hit a home run, too.
It’s not just what Bazzana is individually doing at the plate that has made this such a successful adjustment for the Guardians; it’s also what the hitters behind him are doing, which is allowing Cleveland’s offense to find a new stride.
With Bazzana’s high on-base percentage, the Guardians were hoping that his ability to get on base would open up more scoring opportunities for the top of the lineup, and that’s exactly what’s happening.
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May 17, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Travis Bazzana (37) reacts after being caught stealing during the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The Guardians' win over the Washington Nationals was a perfect example of what having Bazzana hitting first can do for Cleveland’s offense.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Bazzana doubled to put himself in scoring position. The next batter up, Jose Ramirez, hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Austin Hedges, to get the Guardians on the board. Then, Chase DeLauter stepped to the plate, ripped a single, and scored Bazzana, giving Cleveland the lead.
Bazzana insisted after his two-hit day on Wednesday that his game plan at the plate hasn’t changed when hitting leadoff.
“Just trying to stick with a good process,” explained the rookie.
“I’ll kind of harp on it all year long is that, if I swing and good pitches, I’m on time, my preparation for the game is good, the extra base hits, the walks, those things will come. There might be some waves, but I’ve just been on the process, and I’m comfortable leading off.”
That mindset that Bazzana talks about is exactly what a lead-off hitter should have, so it’s no surprise to see him thrive in this spot.
With how Bazzana has looked at the plate and how well he’s fit into the lineup as the leadoff hitter, this change is already looking like a successful one for the Guardians, and it doesn’t look like Cleveland will be going back anytime soon.
Guardians Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Guardians. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
Continue reading...
