Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | TB | SS | 29 | 40 |
Grades Update: Aug 2021
| OFP | Role | Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 40 | 50 | 30 | 45 | 55 | 60 |
Aug 2021 Report
Evaluator: Jake Kerns
Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 188 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 IFA
RuleV: 2022
Physical Description: Average height for the position with a good frame that has filled out some since signing. Lacks present strength, but has some room to add upper body strength. Twitchy athlete.
Hit: Stands open and crouched in the box with his elbows low, his hands at his chest, and the bat on his shoulder. Brings his hands back and elevates the bat as the pitcher begins his windup. Utilizes a huge leg kick as he loads; cocks his knee at his midsection, his left foot rising above his back knee before he steps into the pitch. Has quick wrists, but there's some noise in his hands. Takes big swings, and he has an aggressive approach, but he also has an innate ability to put the bat on the ball. At its best, it's above-average bat speed and a linear bat path, but he does show a tendency to dive at the ball, too often resulting in weak contact. Shows a discernible eye, but does not take walks because of his aggressive approach. There's above-average potential here given his natural bat-to-ball skills, but he'll need to grow stronger and perhaps tone down the swing. The speed helps the tool play up. Grade: 50
Power: Below-average raw power that plays well-below during games. He has a quick bat and takes big cuts, but he lacks the present strength to impact the ball when he makes hard contact. When he gets the ball in the air, it often dies in the middle of the outfield. There's some physical projection in his body, and he's shown an ability to elevate the ball, but Basabe will never be a power hitter. Grade: 30
Field: Twitchy athlete in the field. Quick reactions. Moves well laterally. Unrefined but shows good actions at the keystone. No looks of him at SS. Has taken reps at 2B, SS, and 3B in the minors. Grade: 45
Arm: Strong, quick arm. Ball shows good carry. Accurate in limited looks of him playing 2B. Throws from a high 3/4 when he's reaching back for something more. Grade: 55
Run: Timed between 4.11 and 4.13 down the line from the right side. Those are near plus-plus times; he's quick out of the box and has better-than-plus straight-line speed. Added strength may slow him a touch. Grade: 60
Overall: Basabe is athletic and has an uncommon ability to get the bat on the ball. He's a high effort player - a sort of firecracker on the diamond - and shows enough tools to suggest he has a major league future. He lacks the power that is generally desired, but he's fast, has bat-to-ball skills, and is familiar with a bevy of infield positions, and in that sense he's somewhat of a quintessential Rays prospect. His swing needs to be toned down, but he's shown enough in his limited minor league action to project in a utility role with potential for something more. He's in the right organization to develop, but he's notably down the depth chart due to the strength of the system.
OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Below-Average Player: Bench or Platoon
Risk: High
