The Cleveland Guardians' infield duo of Brayan Rocchio and Travis Bazzana is starting to find its groove.
The immediate excitement around the Cleveland Guardians' call-up of Travis Bazzana was his potential to impact the lineup right away. In many ways, he’s done just that with his plate discipline and elite on-base percentage.
Another piece of Bazzana’s promotion was how he would fit into Cleveland’s defensive game plan. He was also destined to play second base, but the question of how the 23-year-old
While the box score may not have shown it, there were certainly growing pains for Bazzana and Rocchio as they learned each other’s playbooks and how to communicate. Now, almost three weeks into Bazzana’s career, the duo is starting to find their stride up the middle of the infield.
“Anytime you have a double play combo, it takes time to get used to each other. It takes time to - you don't have that sixth sense of where the other one is quite yet, but they're working on that and starting to feel that really well," said Vogt ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the Cincinnati Reds.
“We saw some kind of growing pains early on balls up the middle, but we really haven't seen that as of late.”
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Travis Bazzana (37) turns a double play beside shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn ImagesVogt also added that the duo has spent plenty of time together on the field during practice, getting a feel for one another and their style of play.
"It's great. You see Rocchio pushing him during practice. You see them more talking constantly, working on different angles, different communications,” continued Cleveland’s skipper.
Defense was never a strength for Bazzana as he was making his way through Cleveland’s farm system. That said, it also wasn’t a weakness. If he plans to stick as a middle infielder throughout his career, there’s no one better to partner up with than Rocchio.
Cleveland’s shortstop currently has a fielding run value in the 71st percentile and was a Gold Glove Finalist in 2024. (There’s no shame in losing out to Bobby Witt Jr.)
Last Sunday, with Joey Cantillo on the mound, Rocchio fielded a ground ball hit by Vaughn Grissom, fading toward right field. He got up and threw the ball. Bazzana was already standing at second base, and the duo combined to pull off a less-than-routine double play.
This is just one example of the tandem's improved communication since Bazzana came into the league not too long ago.
The good news is that, with the progress Bazzana and Rocchio have already made, it’ll continue to grow and improve.
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