Luis Alexander Basabe More Than A Throw-In For Chris Sale

CHICAGO—In the Dec. 6 trade that sent Chris Sale to the Red Sox, just about everyone knew second baseman Yoan Moncada and righthander Michael Kopech, two of four prospects Boston sent to the White Sox.

Luis Alexander Basabe was also in the deal, and the 20-year-old outfielder didn’t have such a high profile.

Basabe instantly became the White Sox’s top outfield prospect, and he joined the big club for four Cactus League games. Against the Dodgers on March 12, the switch-hitter drove in three runs with a two-run single and a sacrifice fly.

“I was a little nervous the first time there,” Basabe said through an interpreter. “I knew that was good for me to experience, but at the same time you want to perform in a good way.”

Basabe’s performance in spring training reinforced White Sox maanger Rick Renteria’s high opinion.

“He’s got a pretty solid approach at the plate, he’s a pretty solid defender, runs well,” Renteria said. “He’s definitely viewed by all of us as being somebody that brings some talent to the table.”

Basabe might have been nervous when he played with the major league team in spring training, but he is not shy about his ability.

“I think I’m a player that can do a little bit of everything,” Basabe said. “People say that I’m a five-tool player, and that’s the way I feel. I feel very confident in my skills.”

In Boston’s system last season, Basabe combined to hit .264/.328/.452 with 26 doubles, nine triples, 12 home runs, and 25 stolen bases with low Class A Greenville and high Class A Salem.

Basbe opened this season with high Class A Winston-Salem in the Carolina League and he was hitting .226/.314/.355 had two triples in his first 36 plate appearances.

“I feel relaxed because I realize this is the first step for me,” Basabe said. “My goal is to perform as well as I can. I just want to keep moving up, Double-A, Triple-A and finally the majors. I know what I have to do and I just have to perform the way I know I can.”

CHI-LITES

• Chicago added two veteran to Triple-A Charlotte, outfielder Ryan Raburn and righthander Mike Pelfrey.

• Charlotte outfielder Willy Garcia was 8-for-15 with two home runs, four RBIs and nine runs scored in his first four games, earning International League batter of the week honors. Garcia joined the White Sox for three games (April 14-16) when left fielder Melky Cabrera went on paternity leave.

— Scot Gregor covers the White Sox for the Daily Herald