Drive's Alejandro, Alexander Basabe share DNA, dream
MYRON HOSEA
Great. Happy. Proud. Excited. These are words that twins Luis Alejandro Basabe and Luis Alexander Basabe used when asked to imagine how it will feel if they reach the major leagues.
The Basabe brothers, members of the Greenville Drive, use those words because they will have achieved something for their family.
"It's all these things because we promised our parents that we would work hard every single day to achieve the dream of making it to the major leagues," Alexander said through Justin Su'a, a minor league roving coordinator for the Red Sox who served as their interpreter during a recent interview. "That would be a dream, and that's what we're working hard for every day."
Their dream began thanks to family. When they were 10 years old, an older brother signed with the Cleveland Indians organization and played a few years of minor league baseball. Playing baseball in the streets of their hometown in Venezuela using homemade baseballs and bats, the thought came to the boys that, "Hey, we can do this, too," Luis Alexander said.
The pursuit began in earnest when they signed as international free agents with the Boston Red Sox organization in 2012. They played in the Dominican Summer League (DSL) in 2013 and split 2014 between the DSL and the Gulf Coast League. They played for Lowell, the Red Sox's short season Class A team, in 2015, and they both made the Drive for 2016.
The brothers will turn 20 later this season.
The same yet different
"Two different kinds of players, even though it's hard to tell them apart," Drive manager Darren Fenster said, chuckling quietly.
Luis Alejandro, who is often called "AJ" around the field and clubhouse, splits time between second base and shortstop. Luis Alexander – "Alex" – plays only center field, because he plays it very well. MLBpipeline.com ranks Alexander the No. 8 prospect in the Red Sox organization. Alejandro is not ranked among Boston's Top 30 prospects, but he earned a spot in the South Atlantic League All-Star game Tuesday in Lexington, Kentucky.
"Alexander is probably the more high-profile guy," Fenster said. "An explosive-type athlete with a little bit more of a skill set tools-wise.
"AJ wasn't really slated to go here out of the gate, but he had such a great spring training where he forced our hand and kind of showed us that he was ready for this level and able to be that middle utility guy," Fenster said. "I think it's a cool story that you have twin brothers here who are on different developmental paths."
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Through Greenville's first 65 games, Alejandro was batting .310 with 11 doubles, three triples and three home runs. Alexander had five triples and five homers along with nine doubles and was hitting .227. Alejandro had been successful on 13 of 19 steal attempts while Alexander was nine-for-nine stealing bases.
"For Alexander, it's been a little bit of a struggle," said Fenster. "To his credit, his work has never wavered. He's played an incredible center field. Even though he hasn't helped us as much as I'm sure he would have liked to offensively, what he's brought to us from a defensive perspective has been very important to where we are right now."
Alejandro said he's working on going to the opposite field more while Alexander's focus is on not doing too much and putting the bat on the ball.
The brothers said they're both natural right-handed batters. They became switch-hitters at the suggestion of the brother who played minor league baseball in the United States.
"He said, 'You guys should become lefties because of your speed,' " said Alejandro. When they were 14, he told them they needed to get closer to first base to make better use of their base-running speed. From that moment on, they decided to go "lefty and righty."
"All of our baseball knowledge came from our brother," said Alexander.
Enjoying the season
In describing major leaguers they emulate or appreciate, both of the Basabes identify not only the trait of hard work, but also humility. Su'a said he finds that interesting given what people around the Drive say about Alejandro and Alexander.
"That's the thing about these two men," said Su'a. "Their humility is something that everyone talks about."
Both players said they enjoy playing in Greenville, especially with this team. Alejandro said it's the best team on which he's ever played. Alejandro said, "Even though we're all from different countries, we get along really well. They're not teammates. They're family. They're always helping each other with the game as well."
Alexander said, "Even though there is a language barrier, they get along so well together. Everyone helps each other out." He said it's great to have that because he spends more time with this team than with his family. "It's a family feeling."
Alejandro said the fans at Fluor Field give them encouragement to get better as they support them.
"A lot of times in spring training, there's nobody in the stands, and that makes a difference," said Alexander. "We get energy from the fans, but when a young fan comes up to you and says, 'Hey, you're my favorite player,' that really means a lot."