Shortstop: Marcus Semien, Oakland Athletics
2019 fWAR: 7.6
Among qualified hitters, only four finished 2019 with a higher fWAR than Semien. Oh, and they’re all MVP candidates in their respective leagues. In addition to that number, Oakland’s shortstop also registered career-high marks in wRC+ (137), homers (33), runs scored (123), and RBI (92).
What’s really interesting, though, is the progression he’s been on in the strikeout rate department since his cup-of-coffee debut with the Chicago White Sox in 2013. He finished that year with a 31.0% strikeout rate through 71 plate appearances. Through 747 trips to the plate this past season, his strikeout rate was tied with LeMahieu at 13.7%. There’s been a significant year-over-year progression in this category since 2017, too (22.0% to 18.6% to 13.7%).
None of this should be shocking upon seeing the following numbers. Semien’s 23.1% chase rate, 68.7% swing rate on strikes, 89.7% contact rate in the strike zone, and 82.9% overall contact rate are all career-best marks. Add in a career-high 41.9% hard-hit rate and good things are bound to happen (which they did).
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
