FILE PHOTO: Apr 19, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray (22) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The Texas Rangers have themselves quite the lineup and it starts with Marcus Semien, who hits at the tip of the Rangers lineup, and always impresses everyone around him. He is the one who shows up every day who drives the work ethic of the clubhouse. Semien is known for his consistent routine. Not only does he try to play 162 games every year, but he accomplished another feat that no one else has done. ESPN’s Buster Olney shared insight on Semien’s success as a hitter by putting his name into baseball’s history books.
“From @EliasSports: Marcus Semien is the only player in the majors who hit at least 25 home runs and scored at least 100 runs in each of the past three seasons. Last year, Semien became the first player to lead the American League in both hits and runs scored since Dustin Pedroia did it for the Red Sox in 2008.”
Marcus Semien is an Iron Man of His Own
Semien logged 835 plate appearances for the Rangers between the regular season and postseason in 2023. The second baseman played all 162 regular season games and all 17 in the postseason. In his 11-year career, Semien has played a full 162 games three times and played at least 155 games in addition four times. Semien continues to make it a staple throughout his career. Manager Bruce Bochy was never worried about his second baseman’s workload, especially in the postseason.
“If he’s beat up or banged up and needs a day, it’s beneficial,” Bochy said of potential off-days for Semien. “But if he feels great and is good to go, I get it. You’re not going to feel great all the time. He loves to play. You that away now, is that beneficial? You’re weighing what the man loves to do.
“We’re all in this game to play. Some guys just don’t want to sit. I’ve had a lot of those players. That’s been a battle with quite a few players I’ve had over my career. You take them out, and they’re not happy.”
Semien’s Leadership Has Carried the Rangers
Semien is the club’s best hitter but not the most talented one, that belongs to Corey Seager. In a way, the two-time World Series MVP described his teammate as somewhat of a captain.
“He’s a pillar of this organization,” Seager said of Semien. “It’s how we want to go about our business. He goes about it every day and works hard. He doesn’t need to be the vocal leader. It’s just by watching, you can learn from him and know everything you need to know about him.”
Semien slashed .276/.348/478 in the regular season. But he struggled in the postseason, going 3-for-11 with three walks in the final two games against the Houston Astros. Every day is a new challenge for Semien. He was slow to make adjustments, but when he did, he became one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball.
