No. 1 Draft pick's first pro home run is grand

July 31st, 2024

has hit the ground running in his introduction to pro ball. Now his debut stint can also be deemed grand.

Playing in his third game for High-A Lake County, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 Draft crushed his first professional home run -- a grand slam en route to a 17-5 rout of Beloit on Wednesday at Classic Auto Group Park.

After striking out and walking twice in his first three plate appearances, the former Oregon State star came up with the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Bazzana worked a full count against left-hander Caleb Wurster (Marlins) before clobbering a middle-middle fastball over the right-center wall.

The Australia native has reached milestones in each of his first three games. On July 26, he picked up his first RBI before collecting his first two hits on July 28. He hit his first homer Wednesday, also picking up his first stolen base and scoring three runs while going 2-for-4 with two walks out of the leadoff spot.

Milestones and long balls are nothing new for the 21-year-old, of course. He set Oregon State career and single-season record for career (45) and single-season (28) home runs this spring.