Oakland Athletics: Marcus Semien is a legitimate MVP candidate
Marcus Semien has been arguably the Oakland Athletics best player this season, and as a result, he deserves MVP consideration.
The Oakland Athletics have enjoyed a true breakout season from shortstop Marcus Semien. He may not be receiving as much hype and praise, but the 28-year-old has been as complete as any hitter in the MLB.
Throughout much of the season in the American League, it’s been Mike Trout, and then everybody else when debating the favorite for the Most Valuable Player award. And Trout for MVP is not without merit — he leads the AL in home runs, walks, and subsequently OBP, OPS, and WAR.
But, Trout’s season has met a premature end due to foot surgery. Therefore, the latch has come unlocked for the Houston Astros’ star third-baseman, Alex Bregman, to make a strong counter to Trout’s bid for the MVP award.
However, this isn’t about Trout, Bregman, or any of the other usual suspects. There’s another player who deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as these stars — shortstop Marcus Semien of the Oakland Athletics.
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Semien, who is having a career year in 2019, often isn’t even the first discussed on his own team, usually taking a backseat to third baseman Matt Chapman.
But Semien has developed into a legitimate star by slugging 30 home runs to go along with 85 RBI, a .364 OBP, .877 OPS, and 114 runs scored — the latter good for third in the A.L.
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It’s also important to note, that you have to go all the way back to Miguel Tejada’s 2002 season — when he won an MVP, the last Athletics player to do so — in order to see an A’s shortstop put up these kinds of numbers at the plate.
The soon to be 29-year-old Bay Area native has also had quite the journey defensively, from making 35 errors in 2015 to just 12 so far this season.
Additionally, Semien sports a 1.2 dWAR, hinting he’s not only making fewer errors, but he’s transformed into a solid all-around defensive shortstop.
Overall, Marcus Semien has accumulated a 6.9 WAR, which was fifth in the A.L. entering play on Sunday (third among position players).
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And it’s not just the offensive and defensive numbers. Marcus Semien, albeit about as stoic as they come, is one of Oakland’s veteran leaders.
Semien’s leadership is magnified since Bob Melvin can always count on penciling him into the lineup as he’s appeared in each of the Athletics’ 150 games.
Now just to be clear, does this mean that Semien deserves the MVP over the likes of Mike Trout or Alex Bregman? Not necessarily. But again, should he be getting real consideration? Absolutely.
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The A’s almost surely wouldn’t be in contention for the A.L.’s top Wild Card spot without Marcus Semien in the fold.