Marcus Semien

Position: SS
Born: 9/17/1990
Ht: 6’0″ Wt: 195 lb B-T: R-R
Acquired: Drafted 6th round in the 2011 draft out of Cal-Berkeley
Career Stats

FutureSox Prospect Rankings

  • #16 – 2013 Preseason
  • #13 – 2013 Midseason
  • #4 – 2014 Preseason

FutureSox Media

Accolades

  • Southern League All-Star, 2013 Midseason
  • Southern League All-Star, 2013 Postseason
  • Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Game, 2013

Scouting Report

Semien posted a strong sophomore year with Cal (.328/.400/.497), but then dropped off a bit in his junior season (.275/.371/.415), leading to the belief he may have struggled with the new metal bats. He is a solid defender, though it appears his future is at second base. As a pro he was challenged early, skipping rookie leagues and going straight to Low-A despite being just 20. He held his own (.253/.320/.376) and then took off at High-A Winston-Salem in 2012, posting a .273/.362/.471 line in 487 PA including 14 HR, and 55 walks.

Semien broke out in 2013 with a dominant stint in Double-A Birmingham (.290/.420/.483), earning the league’s MVP and promotions to Triple-A Charlotte and eventually the White Sox. He was solid in 32 games with Charlotte (.264/.338/.464), but struggled in his September call-up (.261/.268/.406). In 2014 he split time between Charlotte and Chicago with nearly identical results as 2013 at both levels.

The White Sox shipped him to Oakland in the Jeff Samardzija trade in the offseason. He has been Oakland’s everyday shortstop since, including finishing third in AL MVP voting in 2019.

Semien is the opposite of many previous and current White Sox prospects in that he draws tons of walks and makes contact. Game power could be above average for either middle infield spot. Defensively he’s got plenty of range for 2B/3B, but that becomes marginal at SS. He’s got plenty of arm for either middle infield spot. Glove work is good, footwork is sometimes unrefined at SS. He does have some speed, but isn’t a big time SB threat.