Texas Rangers Top Prospects: #16, Osleivis Basabe

The Texas Rangers future is made up of the prospects currently in the organization. Which prospect continues the rankings at #16?

As we continue this offseason into Spring Training, we’re looking at the Top 25 prospects in the Texas Rangers organization. These are the players that have performed through the 2018 season and offer the most for the club moving forward.

#16: INF, Osleivis Basabe

Next, on our Texas Rangers top prospects ranking, we’re looking at Venezuelan middle infielder, Osleivis Basabe. Basabe is probably not the household among Rangers fans that others on this list are but he arguably has some of the most upside. The 18-year old was signed by the Rangers in December of 2017 for a reported $550,000.

Listed as a second baseman and a shortstop, MLB Prospect Watch notes Basabe’s outstanding speed that’s some of the best in their organization. He also has an above average arm that may allow him to stay at short for the long-term.

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At the plate, Basabe doesn’t feature much power but he is a solid contact getter and showed off his abilities with the batter in the Dominican Summer League in 2018. In 52 games last year, Basabe hit an attention-getting .344 with a .414 on-base percentage. He showed some solid discipline striking out just 25 times and working 23 walks. He also managed to swipe 12 bases and hopes are that he can make that even more of an asset in the future.

It’ll be a while before Basabe makes it to the big leagues being just a season into his pro career and still only 18-years old. In the 2019 season, hopefully, we’ll get a chance to see him stateside maybe starting things out in Short-Season Spokane with the Indians. Expect the Rangers to take their time with Basabe like they do with all prospects. He may be new on the scene for the organization, but he has the potential to be around for a long time.