"I was more passionate about it": MLB draft prospect Travis Bazzana spills on why he chose baseball over cricket in his tween years 

Over the years, Travis Bazzana established himself as one of the best hitters in college baseball. He set records for the Oregon State Beavers, earning the distinction of being the top prospect in the upcoming MLB draft following an incredible junior season.

However, like most kids born in Australia, he faced a challenge during his tween years. Cricket is arguably the most popular sport in Australia, with most Australians growing up playing the sport in their backyards.

In a recent interview, Bazzana admitted he was also among those kids who played cricket in his backyard. He even captained the Turramurra High School team, playing as their wicketkeeper and opening batsman, leading them to their first state championship.

However, he revealed the key factor that made him choose baseball over cricket, which was his sheer passion for the game:

(from 0:55 mark onwards)

"I guess from a young age, cricket in the backyard, baseball in the field and then at 10, I started playing cricket. Like, actually in clubs and representatively. But, baseball just was more, I was more passionate about it.

"If there was extra time for me to put practice into something, it was baseball and I loved it and I’d say I was probably a little bit better at baseball than I was at cricket. So, it made it a little easier.

"I just, sort of had a passion for it from super young. Even though I love just the competitive nature of all and what my friends were doing was playing rugby, soccer, cricket. But I always wanted to be great at baseball," he added.

Travis Bazzana could make history in 2024 MLB draft

Baseball's top experts have tipped the Cleveland Guardians to make Bazzana the No. 1 overall pick in this year's MLB draft. Should they do so, he would be the first Australian-born player to be selected in the first round of the draft.

Travis Bazzana could make history in this year's MLB Draft.

Bazzana's junior season with the Beavers certainly underlined his credentials to do so. He broke the program's single-season record for home runs (28) and walks (76), while becoming their all-time leader in home runs (45), walks (180) and stolen bases (66).

He was a Golden Spikes Award finalist and earned All-American honors for the third season in a row. Bazzana is bound to be an asset for any MLB team that drafts him. On July 14, will he will be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft?