Outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe promoted to Salem

The Red Sox have announced that they will promote outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe (pictured) to High-A Salem. The 20-year-old Basabe places eighth in the SoxProspects.com rankings and has enjoyed a solid season in Low-A Greenville, slashing .258/.325/.447 in 105 games with the Drive. He will join Salem for their remaining five games of the season as well as the playoffs. 

Basabe signed with the Red Sox alongside his twin brother Luis Alejandro Basabe (who was traded to Arizona in the Brad Ziegler trade this July) in 2012. He jumped onto the prospect radar after hitting .243/.340/.401 and flashing plenty of tools as an 18-year-old in Lowell last season. Basabe came into this season with a bit of hype, but struggled in the first half, hitting only .222/.293/.397 and striking out at a 29.9% rate. However, the toolsy outfielder adjusted at the plate and improved to .292/.355/.493 in the second half.

Basabe is still fairly raw in most aspects of the game, but shows the potential for five average or better tools. He stands six feet tall with an athletic frame, but has shown surprising pop at the plate with the potential for above-average power. His hit tool lags behind a bit, and there is plenty of swing and miss in his game, but it could be fringe-average in the long run. A switch-hitter, his swing from the left side is more advanced currently. Basabe is a plus runner and should be able to stick in center field, as he also features a strong throwing arm. SoxProspects.com Director of Scouting, Ian Cundall, wrote what he saw in Basabe when he scouted him in July.

To make room for Basabe on the Salem roster, third baseman Michael Chavis has been placed on the seven-day disabled list. Chavis, a first-round pick in 2014, last appeared in a game on Sunday. 

Photo Credit: Luis Alexander Basabe by Kelly O'Connor

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