The Sunday Read: Marcus Semien isn’t lone Rangers (or MLB) hitter struggling
May 15, 2022
(Rangers Today photo/Jeff Wilson)
ARLINGTON — A look at the right-field videoboard at Globe Life Field the past week tells the story.
Actually, one look is worth two stories.
Occupying each side are the batting lineups for that day’s game. The Texas Rangers’ lineup is always on the right.
Players are listed as they appear in the lineup, along with their jersey number, position, last name and average.
The average columns are eye-opening, though hitters probably want to cover their eyes.
Theories aside, the “small sample” narrative people often preface their defense of Semien (or anyone) is no longer valid. Twenty percent of the season is no longer a small sample. Five and even ten percent, sure. But the small sample plays well for “Hot Hitters” just as easily as it plays poorly for those slumping. For the money, a hot start would have been nice…or even an acceptable start. For fans, it’s a bummer. 0-25 (0-27 as I type) is epically awful. He looks lost.
Semien will be okay. We’d all love for him to be the guy he was in Toronto, and I do think he can approach that.
With one exception, I like the overall AB’s I’m seeing. Not going to call out the one just yet but I am getting concerned that his results continue to not be there.
Maybe the hit Sunday and the loud out in the next AB are the start of something. He hasn’t changed, at least outwardly, in the way acts.