Is making Australian history in a very American sport
Australia’s best baseball prospect delivered a stunning reminder of his talent overnight as Travis Bazzana helped spark a major upset at the World Baseball Classic.
The Sydney-born star blasted a towering home run as Australia stunned world No.2 Chinese Taipei 3-0 in Tokyo, a result that sent shockwaves through the tournament.
Bazzana’s rocket – struck at 167kph exit velocity – sealed the victory and underlined why he is widely regarded as one of the brightest young players in global baseball.
Australia just beat the No.2-ranked team in the world at the World Baseball Classic, with help from recent No.1 overall pick Travis Bazzana.
We are a baseball country now. https://t.co/xj9u2fopss
— Max Laughton (@maxlaughton) March 5, 2026
It also served as another reminder of the remarkable rise of the 21-year-old, who became the first Australian ever selected with the No.1 overall pick in the MLB Draft by the Cleveland Guardians.
While his name is still unfamiliar to many Australians, Bazzana is already building a reputation in the United States as a future star of the sport.
And the confident second baseman believes Australia’s growing belief on the international stage is no accident.
Australian rising baseball star Travis Bazzana led his side to a huge win over world No.2 Chinese Taipei at the Baseball World Cup
The No.1 draft pick in the Major League Baseball hammered a solo home run to help seal the win
‘In 2024, we played in the ‘Premier 12′ and Chinese Taipei were the champions,’ Bazzana said.
‘They are an incredible baseball team, but I mean, we had two ex-major leaguers pitch today, and the third guy was one of the toughest pitchers for any left-hander to face.’
‘A lot of experience throughout our team. When we go against anyone, we will have belief and trust in each other.’
Australia’s victory was built on a disciplined performance across the diamond.
Robbie Perkins smashed a two-run homer earlier in the game while pitchers Alex Wells, Jack O’Loughlin and Jon Kennedy combined for a dominant shutout that restricted Chinese Taipei to just three hits.
But it was Bazzana’s decisive blast that ultimately broke the contest open and ensured the Australians walked away with one of the biggest wins in their baseball history.
His rise has been extraordinary for someone from a country better known for cricket, rugby league and AFL.
Growing up in Sydney, Bazzana played a range of sports including cricket and soccer before committing fully to baseball – a decision that has rapidly transformed his career.
Bazzana was taken at pick No.1 by the Cleveland Guardians in the Major League Baseball draft
The Aussie played cricket and soccer growing up but his real love is for baseball, taking him all the way to the big league in the United States
At Oregon State University he produced a record-breaking college season, hitting .407 with 28 home runs while being named Pac-12 Player of the Year and a consensus First Team All-American.
The extraordinary form saw him rocket up MLB draft boards before Cleveland made history by selecting him first overall – a move expected to net the young Australian a signing bonus worth as much as $15million.
Despite his meteoric rise in America, Bazzana insists he still has a larger goal in mind: helping grow the sport in Australia.
‘My why for wanting to be great in the game of baseball has sort of developed over time,’ he said.
‘I used to want to prove people wrong, and had big goals and passion. I still have the big goals and passion, but it’s more about paving a path and creating an impact that can change the game in Australia.’
Australia’s win has put them in a strong position early in the World Baseball Classic group stage, with matches against Czechia, Japan and South Korea still to come.
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Most Aussies have no idea this $15million rising star even exists. He sent a HUGE reminder overnight in a World Cup boilover