Aussie young gun Travis Bazzana becomes instant millionaire after becoming MLB No.1 draft pick

Travis Bazzana has made Australian sporting history, recruited with the No.1 pick in the Major League Baseball draft.

The big-hitting left-hander from Sydney is the first Australian player to be taken in the first round of the draft, let alone the top choice.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced on Monday morning (AEST) that the Cleveland Guardians had chosen the second base, currently playing for Oregon State University.

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There was no doubt that Bazzana would be recruited in the top five picks.

But his selection with the No.1 overall pick ensures his immediate earnings are maximised to beyond $US10 million ($A15m).

The previous highest Australian selection was pitcher Josh Spence, taken in the third round of the 2009 draft.

Bazzana, who also played cricket growing up in Sydney, said he wants to raise baseball’s profile in Australia through his career.

“I see a lot of opportunity — an opportunity to make an impact on a lot of (baseballers) and just people back home in Australia, hopefully change the narrative for the sport,” Bazzana said.

“While baseball classics and Olympics are something I want to see on the cards … I just want to give belief to players back home that (they) can go do great things in the US and pursue a major league dream. Hopefully this is a step towards that.”

Bazzana’s home club, the Ku-Ring-Gai Stealers, was holding a function on Monday morning to watch the draft.

He will now go to one of Cleveland’s minor league teams and — depending on his form there — could make his major league debut for the Guardians as early as this season.

They lead the American League Central standings with a 58-37 record, the second-best across the major leagues.

Bazzana had an exceptional .407 batting average this season for Oregon State, with 28 homers and 66 runs batted in.

The Guardians’ scouting report described the “compact and strong” Bazzana as having “plenty of bat speed, with an advanced approach at the plate and significant raw power”.

“A proven hitter against both lefties and righties, he is also a plus runner and a legitimate base-stealing threat,” it went on.

“His athleticism provides good range, enough arm strength, and the ability to turn double plays effectively at second base.”

– with 7NEWS