Playing at the Highest LevelOSU only school in nation with first-round picks in pro baseball, football and soccer.

The news reached the Omaha Room overlooking Goss Stadium at Coleman Field on July 14: the Cleveland Guardians had made Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana the No. 1 overall pick of the Major League Baseball draft. His family, teammates and friends erupted in celebration.

“The moment was kind of crazy,” Bazzana told reporters. “As soon as it hit, it was like something exploded. Everyone kind of jumped up around me. … It’s just one of those moments — such a crazy moment — that you can’t really put into words because it would kind of understate it. It was amazing.”

It was a big week for Beaver baseball: days later, Adley Rutschman, ’20, and Steven Kwan — both members of OSU’s 2018 national championship team — started for the American League in the MLB All-Star Game.

Bazzana’s selection gave Oregon State a notable distinction as the only school with first-round draft picks this year by Major League Baseball, National Football League and Major League Soccer teams. Offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga was the 14th overall pick by the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, and forward Logan Farrington was the third overall pick by FC Dallas of MLS.

“Oregon State has been, and always will be, a place where student-athletes can learn, grow and develop in their respective sports,” Oregon State Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Barnes said. “Logan Farrington, Taliese Fuaga and Travis Bazzana are perfect examples of individuals who put in the work to have the opportunity to play professionally at the highest level.

“We also have five former Beaver student-athletes, one current coach and current gymnast Jade Carey participating at the Olympics this summer,” he continued, “proving that Oregon State has excellent coaching, facilities and resources to compete with the very best in the world.”

Bazzana was a consensus first-team All-American in 2024, batting .407 with a school-record 28 home runs and setting Beaver career records in numerous categories, including hits, home runs, runs scored and stolen bases. Bazzana’s selection made OSU one of only four schools in the nation with at least two No. 1 overall selections in the MLB draft. Rutschman was the top pick in 2019.

Fuaga was the first-ever OSU offensive lineman selected in the NFL’s first round. He was named to multiple All-America first teams in 2023 and was a two-time All-Pac-12 selection.

Farrington was the third Beaver men’s soccer player ever taken among the top three picks in the MLS SuperDraft. He scored 15 goals in 2023, earning All-America honors and helping Oregon State into the national semifinals.