ST. PETERSBURG -- Rays manager Kevin Cash was upset with infielder Osleivis Basabe prior to Friday’s Grapefruit League game vs. the Braves.

“He got out yesterday, so we’re mad at him,” Cash said.

But -- Basabe did record an RBI single Thursday before grounding out later, though. Isn’t that good?

“He still got out,” Cash responded.

Of course, this was all very tongue-in-cheek. But this is the standard that Basabe, Tampa Bay’s No. 7 prospect, has set during Spring Training. The Rays have had a handful of breakthrough bats in camp -- Luke Raley and Josh Lowe come to mind -- but arguably no one has been more impressive than the 22-year-old from Venezuela. He is 8-for-15 with two extra-base hits, two walks and two strikeouts after Friday's 3-2 loss to Atlanta at Tropicana Field.

“He’s been a huge bright spot,” said Cash. “He comes up, he seems like he’s locked in on every pitch. … He’s coming right off the bench and whacking something.”

Cash admits he didn’t know much about Basabe before this camp. But the infielder who can handle shortstop, third base and second base is putting everyone on notice now.

“Thank God I feel good,” Basabe said through interpreter Manny Navarro. “I think all the work that I’ve done in the offseason has really been helping me out. Doing all the little things, working on the fundamentals of the game has helped me out a lot.”

Acquired in the December 2020 trade that sent first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to the Rangers, Basabe batted .324 with a .385 on-base percentage in 495 plate appearances between High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery last season. Even though he battled through a knee injury, he stole 21 bases with his 55-grade speed.

However, it’s Basabe’s plate discipline and ability to create consistently hard contact that really stand out. He posted an 11.9 percent strikeout rate and a 91 percent zone contact rate -- which both would have ranked among the top 25 in the Majors in 2022 -- while stinging balls all over the diamond.

This talent might be in Basabe’s blood, as he has many family members who have played some level of pro ball.

“It just kind of comes naturally,” Basabe said.

Conversely, hitting the ball out of the park is a work in progress. Basabe has just eight home runs through 1,091 Minor League at-bats. Creating more loft in his swing without losing his elite contact skills has been a huge priority for him.

“I definitely see it’s something that I needed to work on and something I did work on in the offseason,” Basabe said. “... This year, with all my balls in play, I think I’ve hit it a lot more in the air this season.”

Basabe saw that labor bear fruit on Feb. 26, when he hit a grand slam against the Red Sox.

“Maybe he’s figuring something out,” Cash said. “He’s always shown the hit ability component. Now you’re starting to see him drive balls more and find gaps. It should be interesting to see how his season plays out.”

Basabe said he is not trying to look ahead to the season, wherever that may be for him. He just wants to stay in the moment and seize every opportunity.

“I’m going to take advantage of the time here and be very grateful for it at the same time,” Basabe said.

There is no doubt that Basabe has taken advantage of his chances throughout camp. On Friday, he once again showed his discipline by drawing a second-inning walk, then he nabbed second base fairly easily.

He did fly out in the fifth inning, though.

“Gonna bench him tomorrow,” Cash joked.