6. Luis Alexander Basabe, OF
Birthday: 8/26/1996 (22)
Acquired: Trade with the Boston Red Sox, December 2016
Level(s): high-A Winston-Salem, AA Birmingham
Statistics: .258/.354/.445, 119 G, 515 PA, 21 2B, 8 3B, 15 HR, 16 SB, 12.4% BB, 27.2% K
Basabe was signed by the Red Sox out of Venezuela, and he was more of a forgotten man in the trade that sent Chris Sale to Boston. I’ll probably be high on him compared to many other places here, but his improvements in 2018 absolutely merit that movement.
Coming into the 2018 season, Basabe put on very positive build, adding thickness to his lower half that served him well with the Dash, as he was driving the ball with authority in the Carolina League. He did appear tired as the season wore on, and some of that could be carrying likely 15-20 more pounds of weight than he has previously.
While he hasn’t lost any top-end speed with his added strength, Basabe did seem to drop a tick of quickness off the line, which might move him to a corner outfield spot, but he has a smooth swing and the arm to work in that role.
While he may not hit 30 home runs anytime, Basabe has excellent gap power that should be a 20 home run guy with 30 doubles and double-digit steals as well, which is an impressive overall combination.
Basabe did fall off some in AA, so he’ll likely open the season there in 2019, but it would not surprise if he spends most of 2019 in AAA with a chance to spend some time in the major leagues.