From a 34th-round draft pick to a $175 million superstar
In short: In 2008, Marcus Semien was a deep-round afterthought in the MLB draft. Fast forward through defensive struggles, wrist surgeries, and record-breaking seasons, and he has become one of baseball's most durable and explosive forces, recently securing a massive long-term contract and a World Series title.
The trajectory of Marcus Semien’s career is a study in professional evolution. While at St. Mary's, the Chicago White Sox selected him during the 2008 draft's 34th round. Mary's College High School, Semien initially struggled to find his footing. After playing for the California Golden Bears at UC Berkeley, he was eventually selected by the White Sox in the sixth round of the 2011 draft. His early Major League years were marked by significant defensive volatility; in 2015, playing for the Oakland Athletics, he led the majors with 35 errors.
To overcome these hurdles, Semien underwent a period of intense refinement. Following his error-prone 2015 season, the Athletics employed Ron Washington to work on his defense. The results were transformative. By 2016, his errors dropped to 21, and he led the league in assists with 477. This defensive stability, paired with increasing power, saw him become a Gold Glove finalist in 2018 and earn a spot on the inaugural All-MLB second team in 2019.
Semien's peak years arrived with his move to the Toronto Blue Jays. He earned a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger, and his debut All-Star selection in 2021, hitting 44 home runs to surpass Davey Johnson's record for a starting second baseman. Late in 2021, the Texas Rangers signed him to a deal worth $175 million over seven years. In 2023, he reached new heights, setting an MLB record for total plate appearances in a single season (835) and helping the Rangers win the World Series.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Marcus Semien
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