Why Cleveland Guardians Should Have NO REGRETS About Drafting Travis Bazzana With Geoff Pontes of BA

Cleveland Guardians fans are still asking: Did the team miss out by drafting Travis Bazzana over 2025 AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz? Justin Lada, Jeff Ellis, and Baseball America’s Geoff Pontes break down the ripple effects of the Guardians’ recent draft classes. From Bazzana’s promising metrics and rapid Triple-A rise to Kurtz’s breakout season, the crew debates whether Cleveland should have regrets—and if a change in drafting philosophy is underway. The show dives into the Guardians’ newfound willingness to target high-upside, riskier players like Jace LaViolette and Nolan Schubart, the organization’s historical focus on contact hitters, and how salary constraints impact player development strategy. Geoff Pontes offers insider perspective on prospects to watch, evolving MLB front office approaches, and what Cleveland must do to bridge the gap with juggernauts like the Dodgers. Will the Guardians’ new draft risks finally pay off?

00:00 Guardians Draft and Development Debate

06:03 Travis Bazzana's Path to MLB

13:34 Unexpected Player Developments

16:02 Cleveland's Shift in Draft Strategy

18:42 Risky Shift in Player Profile

21:32 Guardians: Risk Debate 2025

24:49 Guardians' Risk-Taking Strategy

29:28 Baseball Economics and Market Factors

31:16 Winning vs. World Series Ambition

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