Osleivis Basabe DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The San Francisco Giants have optioned shortstop Osleivis Basabe (shoulder) to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. The 24-year-old was looking for his first stint in the big leagues since his brief time with the Tampa Bay Rays back in 2023, but he'll begin the 2025 season in the minors. Basabe was given a spot on the 40-man roster in February but sustained a shoulder strain late in the month, limiting him to just ten spring training at-bats. The former Tampa Bay Ray floundered in Triple-A last season with a .248 average and hit .251 during international play. However, if he fully recovers, he has a good shot at an everyday role with Sacramento.

San Francisco Giants infielder Osleivis Basabe (shoulder) has been shut down from throwing for a few days. The Giants are calling the issue a right shoulder strain, so they'll give Basabe a few days off to rest. It doesn't sound like the team plans on doing more imaging, so for now he's considered day-to-day. Basabe is currently competing for a bench spot on the roster, so his won't help his chances of making the roster. Regardless, Basabe is unlikely to offer fantasy value to begin the season.

The San Francisco Giants acquired infielder Osleivis Basabe from the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. Basabe had been designated for assignment by the Rays earlier in the week. Basabe played in only 78 games in the minors in 2024 due to a fractured wrist and hit .248 (65-for-262) with five home runs, 29 RBI and four stolen bases in 66 games with Triple-A Durham. The 24-year-old Venezuelan has hit over .300 in his career in the minors but went 19-for-87 (.218) with a homer and 25 strikeouts in 94 plate appearances in 31 games in 2023 in his major-league debut. Basabe can play multiple positions on the infield and will now head to spring training with the Giants hoping to carve out a utility role on the big-league roster. He will most likely open the year at Triple-A Sacramento.

The Tampa Bay Rays designated infielder Osleivis Basabe for assignment on Monday to make room for right-hander Alex Faedo, who they acquired in a trade from the Detroit Tigers for minor-league catcher Enderson Delgado and cash considerations, on the 40-man roster. Basabe didn't play for the Rays at all last year and appeared in only 66 contests at Triple-A Durham due to a fractured wrist. The 24-year-old Venezuelan infielder hit .248/.293/.336 with a weak .629 OPS, five home runs, 29 RBI, four stolen bases and 26 runs scored in his 283 plate appearances for the Bulls in 2024. He has displayed solid bat-to-ball skills in the minors for the Rays and has a career .301 batting average and .359 on-base percentage in six minor-league seasons. Basabe looked overmatched in 31 games for Tampa during his MLB debut in 2023, but he should latch on elsewhere as minor-league infield depth in 2025.

Tampa Bay Rays rookie infielder Osleivis Basabe (head), who injured his head in the Grapefruit League game on Tuesday against the New York Yankees while sliding into third base, is expected to be available to return to spring training action on Friday or Saturday, according to manager Kevin Cash. It sounds as though the 23-year-old youngster was able to avoid a concussion and won't be out long. The Venezuelan infielder mostly looked overmatched in his first taste of the big leagues in 2023, as he went 19-for-87 (.218) with a homer and 12 RBI in his first 31 major-league contests for the Rays. In a best-case scenario, the switch-hitter could win a utility role for the Rays at some point in 2024, but he's lacking in offensive upside in mixed fantasy leagues for now.