Marcus Semien was a promising prospect heading into the 2013 season, however he was removed from a high-profile participant. When that yr’s Baseball America Prospect Handbook was printed, the 2011 sixth-round select of the College of California-Berkeley was ranked simply 14th in a light-weight Chicago White Sox system. (On the time, in-depth scouting reviews had been nonetheless of their nascent levels right here at FanGraphs.)
Within the 12 years since then, the 34-year-old Semien has gone on to exceed these modest expectations. He reached the massive leagues with the White Sox in September 2013, then established himself as an on a regular basis participant after they traded him to the Athletics earlier than the 2015 season. Now in his fourth yr with the Rangers after six seasons in Oakland and one in Toronto, the Bay Space native has three All-Star picks, two Silver Sluggers, and a Gold Glove on his résumé. Scuffling within the present marketing campaign — Semien has a 47 wRC+ over 176 plate appearances — he nonetheless has 1,533 hits, together with 241 house runs, to go together with a 108 wRC+ and 36.1 WAR over his main league profession.
What did Semien’s Baseball America scouting report appear to be within the spring of 2013? Furthermore, what does he give it some thought all these years later? Wanting to search out out, I shared a few of what then-BA contributing author Phil Rogers wrote, and requested Semien to reply to it.
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“The son of former California extensive receiver [Damien] Semien, Marcus was a three-sport standout in highschool who adopted his father’s footsteps to Berkeley, the place he centered on baseball.”
“I truly simply performed basketball and baseball in highschool,” Semien replied. “I used to be a part of a state championship runner-up in my senior yr, so I missed in all probability the primary three weeks of my [baseball] season. As soon as I graduated highschool, I knew that baseball was all that I used to be going to play in school.”
“The White Sox drafted him within the thirty fourth spherical out of highschool however didn’t land him till 2011, after they took him within the sixth spherical and gave him a $130,000 bonus.”
“Out of highschool I used to be supplied about $50,000,” Semien recalled. “I had the scholarship with Cal, each of my dad and mom went there, and it was 10 minutes from my home. I figured it was sensible to remain house, get a great training, and play within the Pac-10 towards some fairly sturdy competitors.
“I used to be pleased with the bounce from the thirty fourth spherical to the sixth spherical,” the erstwhile Golden Bear added. “I had a sluggish begin my junior yr. I hoped I’d go a bit greater going into that season — I had a great summer season with the wooden bat — however began off sluggish. It was the primary yr of the BBCOR bats, and energy was down throughout the entire nation. As soon as we acquired into the playoffs I acquired hotter, and landed within the sixth spherical.”
“He was extra extremely thought to be a fielder than a hitter in school, however Chicago projected he would make main strides on the plate as a professional — and he did in his first full season.”
“First full season I had a few accidents, however I positively acquired higher with my plate self-discipline,” Semien stated. “I additionally hit for some energy in Winston-Salem, which was a great ballpark to hit in.”
“He opened his stance barely final yr, permitting him to barrel extra pitches.”
“Ooh, perhaps,” Semien stated. “I don’t keep in mind essentially excited about it, however whenever you’re that younger, generally you make some changes. However like I stated, I began to stroll a bit bit extra and hit for energy; the extra-base hits had been there. I used to be on a extremely good crew that yr. We scored a whole lot of runs.”
“Some scouts are nonetheless skeptical about his bat, questioning his energy and whether or not he’ll get on base sufficient to bat wherever however the backside of a lineup.”
“Nicely, as soon as I acquired to traded to Oakland, I used to be on the backside of the order,” Semien identified. “I type of labored my manner up as I acquired older. I grew into my energy a bit extra. I had some first rate energy numbers within the minor leagues — I believe I hit 21 house runs mixed [minors and majors] in 2013, and in 2014, I believe it was 21 mixed once more. So the facility was getting there.
“I switched to a 34-inch bat and began hitting for a bit extra energy. As soon as I acquired to 2019, I went again to a 33 1/2. Balls had been flying higher that yr. That was my huge energy yr.”
“He has strong arm energy and dependable arms, although his vary is common and will push him to second base down the street.”
“They knew that,” Semien responded. “I’m at second base proper now. I felt assured in my skill at quick. I had a tough begin in Oakland. I caught it on the market for six years at shortstop, then ended up at second in Toronto.”
“How Semien performs in Double-A in 2013 will shed gentle as as to if he ultimately can change into a giant league common or will high out as a utility sort.”
“That was my greatest yr within the minors,” Semien stated. “I gained MVP within the Southern League and acquired known as as much as the massive leagues the following yr. I suppose I answered the decision.”
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Earlier “Previous Scouting Stories Revisited” interviews will be discovered by way of these hyperlinks: Cody Bellinger, Matthew Boyd, Dylan Stop, Matt Chapman, Erick Fedde, Kyle Freeland, Lucas Giolito, Randal Grichuk, Ian Happ, Jeff Hoffman, Matthew Liberatore, Sean Newcomb, Bailey Ober, Max Scherzer