Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Marcus Semien Named MLB Player of the Month
The Blue Jays are getting their money's worth.
Toronto second basemen Marcus Semien was awarded Major League Baseball's May Player of the Month award after a dominant second month as a Blue Jay.
In May, the infielder slashed .368/.429/.702, hit eight home runs, drove in 22, stole two bases without being caught stealing, had 12 doubles, and added 42 hits. The only reason Semien didn't lead every major offensive statistic for the Blue Jays in May was because his teammate, Vlad Guerrero Jr., was also in contention for the league's monthly honor.
Semien's award-winning month comes after he hit just .211 in March/April. The second basemen was moved down the lineup after posting just a .290 OBP and driving in only 10 runs in the first month of the season. Semien's timing is clearly now down, and he's providing the Blue Jays with more value than they could've imagined on his one-year, $18 million deal.
"Now I'm in a spot where most nights velocity doesn't necessarily bother me," Semien said. "So that's a good spot to be and with a good swing path you're able to use the entire field."
Semien signed with the Jays under the agreement he would move from his traditional defensive spot, shortstop, to second base. The transition has been smooth as by defensive runs saved he has also been the best defensive 2B in the American League this season.
Leading the team with eight stolen bases, Semien brings an all-around game to the Blue Jays and has posted the second-highest WAR on the team (2.7) through the first two months of 2021.
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