3 Guardians players most impacted by Travis Bazzana’s big league promotion

Earlier this week the Cleveland Guardians officially ushered in a new era by promoting top prospect Travis Bazzana from Triple-A. And they wasted no time getting him some big league action, as he recorded starts in the final two games of the Guardians’ series against the Rays and went 0-for-6 with two walks. 

While Bazzana’s debut didn’t jump off the page, his mere promotion has caused a variety of ripple effects across the Guardians’ roster. Here are the three players who were impacted most.  

Travis Bazzana's promotion changed the dynamic of the Guardians' roster

SS Gabriel Arias 

Arias got off to a hot start this season before he was sidelined with a hamstring injury that may end up changing the trajectory of his Guardians’ career. 

In the time since Arias hit the injured list, Brayan Rocchio has turned into an all-world slugger at shortstop while Juan Brito and Travis Bazzana have made their big league debuts at second base. 

Arias still has all the talent in the world and can impact the game in a variety of ways, but Bazzana’s promotion obviously complicates his fit on the roster. Although we haven’t heard any kind of update about Arias as of late, it’s been three weeks since he suffered the injury, which was projected to keep him out for four-to-eight weeks. 

Arias is out of minor league options, so it’s going to be MLB or bust once he returns. It’s hard to believe the Guardians would choose him over Bazzana, especially if the rookie’s raking. 

SS Brayan Rocchio

Who said an impact has to be a bad thing? 

After opening the season as the Guardians’ second baseman, Rocchio shifted over to shortstop halfway through the month after Arias went on the injured list with that aforementioned hamstring strain.

That move has led to the best span of Rocchio’s career, as he’s slashed .319/.364/.472 with three home runs and 14 RBI since while solidifying that he should be a part of the Guardians’ long-term future. 

Bazzana’s a full-time second baseman, so his promotion all but confirms that Rocchio’s long-term future is at short. 

While Arias is going to return at some point, the next month-plus is going to provide Guardians fans with a look into what could end up becoming their middle-infield pairing of the future. 

UTL Daniel Schneemann 

While Schnemann can move all around the diamond last year, 74 of his appearances last season came at second base, which is the most that he had at any position. 

And although he’s already appeared in seven games at second base this season, he may not get any more chances at the keystone this year thanks to the presence of Bazzana. 

But that may not be a bad thing considering Schneemann can play all over the diamond. In fact, this may free him up to get more time in center field, which is arguably his best position. 

Schnemann’s hit in the No. 5 spot in the lineup in both games that Bazzana has played in, so it’s only going to be a matter of time until Bazzana drives Schnemann. 

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