Marcus Semien

[Jake]

This seems like a big question to me and I see a lot of folks that seem to think they know the answer, but the assumed answers are all over the chart.

 

There are several plausible outcomes to start the season:

-Starting third baseman in MLB

-Starting second baseman in MLB

-Swing infielder/super utility in MLB, playing nearly every day with the position depending on matchups

-SS in AAA

-2B in AAA

-3B in AAA

-Utility in AAA

 

I think that what he needs is more time in AAA. I'm not sure if that means he will get it or not. In AA last year, his first year at the level, he walked 17% of the time versus 14% strikeouts. He had a solid-not-great .750ish OPS until he exploded midseason, as one might expect for a good player adjusting to a new level. In his 32 games in AAA, he walked just 9.9% of the time versus 16.9% strikeouts, quite the swing. His wRC+ went from an eye-popping 163 in AA to a still-good 123 in AAA.

 

In the majors, over 21 games and 71 plate appearances, he walked 1.4% of the time and struck out 31% of the time. He showed some encouraging flashes and had some qualitatively good looking games, but over a pretty long stretch MLB competition nullified his greatest strength, his high walks and low strikeouts. In the AFL, has walked 11.2% compared to 25.8% strikeouts with a career-low .117 ISO (isolated power=slugging percentage minus batting average). His wRC+ over these 89 plate appearances and 21 games was a paltry 49, though it is worth noting that his BABIP was very low at .189. Given the bad strikeout and walk rates, it is hard to prognosticate as to whether he was the victim of bad luck or was actually just hitting pretty damn poorly down there.

 

What I see is a guy with just about 300 PA above AA, most of which haven't been too good. He had zero experience above A+ entering last year and has taken about half a season to adjust to competition at each level. This time, he really lost his best weapon in his walk and K rates as he moved up in level. I would really like to see him get significant time in AAA this season. If he really kicks ass out of the gate, you can think about plugging him in the MLB lineup if one of our infielders is struggling. Otherwise, I think we make the wrong decision by putting him on the MLB club straightaway. If we push him too hard, he may lose the good habits that led to his on base prowess because he is just trying to survive. He might never get those back if he is constantly struggling to stay alive in the MLB.

 

What do you guys think? MLB or AAA? What position? Is there something he could do in Spring Training that would change your mind?

[Balta1701]

Start him at AAA and continue changing positions with him. He has had 1 season of AA ball and above. Let him hit his way into the big leagues. Play him around and wait for a position to open up. Either the right trade will come along or one of the 3 positions will open up because of guys at the big league level struggling.

[Rowand44]

I want him starting in the majors at one of the MI spots.

[GreatScott82]

I want him starting in the majors at one of the MI spots.

This. I am expecting one of Beckham or Ramirez to be dealt this winter...

[beck72]

I think Semien will start in AAA rotating between 3b and 2b. Ready to step in should guys struggle at either spot in bigs. I too expect Beckham to be dealt. Which would leave 2b a battle between Leury Garcia, Sanchez, and Semien. Curiously enough, Garcia is younger than Semien. Texas pushed him at higher levels.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

I think Semien will start in AAA rotating between 3b and 2b. Ready to step in should guys struggle at either spot in bigs. I too expect Beckham to be dealt. Which would leave 2b a battle between Leury Garcia, Sanchez, and Semien. Curiously enough, Garcia is younger than Semien. Texas pushed him at higher levels.

He definitely needs more time in the minors. I said it probably right after the season in one thread or another after seeing basically no walks and a bunch of K's in his Sox AB's . I think he'll be an average to above average fielder depending on what position he plays eventually and he seems like a pretty good baserunner though it's hard to determine that right now.

[Buehrle>Wood]

Starting 33 hopefully, if we don't sign anyone.

[2nd_city_saint787]

I think he could use some time in AAA, but if he looks good in ST and Beckham isn't, give him the 2B job. He wasn't great in AAA, wasn't good in the bigs, and he stunk it up in the AFL. I'd hate for gim to come up "too early" and have to hear people going on and on about how we rushed him.

[Balta1701]

I think he could use some time in AAA, but if he looks good in ST and Beckham isn't, give him the 2B job. He wasn't great in AAA, wasn't good in the bigs, and he stunk it up in the AFL. I'd hate for gim to come up "too early" and have to hear people going on and on about how we rushed him.

Beckham isn't going to be benched based on ST when he's making $4 million next year.

 

He might reach that point by June.

[iamshack]

Semien shouldn't be forcing our hands to do anything. If something makes sense as far as a trade, and that opens up a spot for him in Chicago, great. If not, I think he should be starting in Charlotte.

 

If we're going to move Alexei or Gordon, it should be for reasons other than Marcus Semien.

[greg775]

I'd start him at 3B and work on dealing Kepp/Gillaspie.

[iamshack]

While it's all too early in the offseason to say who is definitively going to play 2B/3B, I hope that we cut the cord on Beckham and start Marcus in AAA.

I just don't get why we'd cut the cord on Gordon only to rush Semien in - the same thing we did with Gordon.

[winninguglyin83]

Decide on Semien's best position. That's the first thing.

 

Then let him become skilled at that position -- and get more ABs at Charlotte.

 

Player development.

[elrockinMT]

If he makes the bigs in 2014 I think it will be at 3B or as super sub. I would not be averse to seeing Kepp traded

Edited November 16, 2013 by elrockinMT

[Vance Law]

He starts at AAA unless Ramirez, Beckham, or Gillaspie are moved (and not replaced in trade). He'll be an every day player with the Sox if one of those is injured, he's dominating AAA/ one of them craps the bed, or when we start selling pieces off at the deadline if we're nowhere near contending.

Edited November 17, 2013 by Vance Law

[Rowand44]

I just don't get why we'd cut the cord on Gordon only to rush Semien in - the same thing we did with Gordon.

Cause Semien is already better than Gordon IMO so he should be playing. I also don't think what we did with Beckham should have anything to do with what we do with Semien. Along those same lines, I really don't think having major league success when he got brought up is what turned Beckham into a bad baseball player.

 

Let Marcus start the year in Chicago, work with the major league coaches and develop that way, I definitely don't think that's going to hurt him. He's a better hitter than Gordon and Connor already and he should be on the major league roster as far as I'm concerned.

[iamshack]

Cause Semien is already better than Gordon IMO so he should be playing. I also don't think what we did with Beckham should have anything to do with what we do with Semien. Along those same lines, I really don't think having major league success when he got brought up is what turned Beckham into a bad baseball player.

 

Let Marcus start the year in Chicago, work with the major league coaches and develop that way, I definitely don't think that's going to hurt him. He's a better hitter than Gordon and Connor already and he should be on the major league roster as far as I'm concerned.

I guess what I'm getting at is that a lot of these better prospects can succeed before the League adjusts. That's when the prospect really proves whether he's going to be worth his salt or not. I think Semien could learn a bit more about that down in Charlotte, instead of putting the Org in the position of removing the incumbent player to make way for the prospect, then having to stick with the prospect after he fails to adjust to the rest of the League's adjustment.

 

Do you really think Semien is going to put up significantly better numbers than Gordon right out of the chute? I don't.

Edited November 17, 2013 by iamshack

[Quin]

Cause Semien is already better than Gordon IMO so he should be playing. I also don't think what we did with Beckham should have anything to do with what we do with Semien. Along those same lines, I really don't think having major league success when he got brought up is what turned Beckham into a bad baseball player.

 

Let Marcus start the year in Chicago, work with the major league coaches and develop that way, I definitely don't think that's going to hurt him. He's a better hitter than Gordon and Connor already and he should be on the major league roster as far as I'm concerned.

 

Cause Beckham is already better than Fields IMO so he should be playing. I also don't think what we did with Fields should have anything to do with what we do with Beckham. Along those same lines, I really don't think having major league success when he got brought up is what turned Fields into a bad baseball player.

 

Let Gordon start the year in Chicago, work with the major league coaches and develop that way, I definitely don't think that's going to hurt him. He's a better hitter than Fields and Getz already and he should be on the major league roster as far as I'm concerned.

 

Cause Fields is already better than Crede IMO so he should be playing.

 

Let Josh start the year in Chicago, work with the major league coaches and develop that way, I definitely don't think that's going to hurt him. He's a better hitter than Crede and Uribe already and he should be on the major league roster as far as I'm concerned.

Edited November 17, 2013 by Quinarvy

[LittleHurt05]

I prefer to have some pop from my 3B, does Semien project to have much power?

 

 

[Balta1701]

I prefer to have some pop from my 3B, does Semien project to have much power?

He's only 22 but the word might be "enough". 19 HR, 32 2b this season in 626 PA's. Convert that to the big leagues and maybe we're talking similar HR numbers to Gillaspie this year.

[LittleHurt05]

He's only 22 but the word might be "enough". 19 HR, 32 2b this season in 626 PA's. Convert that to the big leagues and maybe we're talking similar HR numbers to Gillaspie this year.

 

Thanks, I agree 'enough' would be the right word if he keeps it up.

 

With 2nd & 3rd in flux and Alexei getting older, it's hard to nail him down to an infield position now.

[Jake]

I'd say the most optimistic projection/ceiling would be 20-25, with the likely projection more like 10-15.

[Chicago White Sox]

I'm torn if Semien should start the season in the majors or AAA, and while I lean towards the majors, I'll be happy as long as he's getting regular at-bats. Using him as a backup or platoon infielder would be the worst case scenario. Consistent playing time is the most important thing for his development, regardless where it happens IMO.

[nickofypres]

Start him in Charlotte rotating 3B, SS, and 2B.