Giants trade for OF Basabe from White Sox

On Sunday, the Giants traded for another tools outfielder to join the mix, getting Luis Alexander Basabe from the Chicago White Sox for cash.

The #SFGiants acquired OF Luis Basabe from the White Sox for cash considerations. RHP Jordan Humphreys, acquired in the Billy Hamilton trade, was placed on the restricted list.

— Kerry Crowley (@KO_Crowley) August 9, 2020

Basabe, who turns 24 later in August, was designated for assignment by the White Sox last Tuesday.  He hit .246 with 12 doubles, a triple, and three home runs in Double-A in 2019.

To make room for him, the Giants placed recently-acquired pitcher Jordan Humphreys.  General manager Scott Harris said that Humphreys is currently dealing with a family issue.

Basabe was signed out of Venezuela at 16 by the Red Sox.  He was traded to the White Sox in the Chris Sale trade in 2017.  He was ranked and the #11 prospect in the White Sox system by MLB Pipeline, and the #18 prospect by Baseball America.  MLB Pipeline puts him in at the #18 spot with the Giants.

He matches a Farhan Zaidi-favorite tool of being a player with good plate discipline and who doesn’t strike out much.  He has 311 walks and just 639 strikeouts in 2570 plate appearances.

Basabe will join Tyler Rogers as Giants who have a twin playing elsewhere in baseball.  Basabe’s brother, Luis Alejandro Basabe, plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks system.