Semien is the 115th former Northwoods League Player to debut in MLB
Rochester, MN – Former Alexandria Beetle Marcus Semien was called up by the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, September 3. Semien is the 115th former Northwoods League player to reach the Major League level.
Semien, who played collegiately at California, played for the Alexandria Beetles during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Semien was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 34th round of the 2008 MLB draft. He was then drafted again by the White Sox in the 6th round of the MLB draft in 2011.
During the 2009 season with the Beetles, Semien hit .156 in 53 games. He also had 5 doubles, 1 triple and drove in 14 runs. Over those 53 games he also drew an astonishing 42 walks. Semien saw a vast improvement during his second season in the Northwoods League in 2010. He hit .302 in 62 games to go along with 18 doubles and 32 RBI. He also stole 19 bases and was once again near the top of the league with 43 walks.
Semien began his minor league career in 2011 in Lo A with the Kannapolis Intimidators of the South Atlantic League. Semien played 60 games for the Intimidators and hit .253 with 3 home runs and 26 RBI. He also had 15 doubles and 3 stolen bases.
2012 saw Semien play the entire year in Hi A with the Winston-Salem Dash in the Carolina League. His offensive numbers increased as a he hit .273 with 14 home runs and 59 RBI. He also improved in other categories as he hit 31 doubles, 5 triples and stole 11 bases.
The 2013 season had Semien starting the year at AA with the Birmingham Barons of the Southern League. After 105 games with Birmingham where he hit .290 with 15 home runs, 49 RBI and 20 stolen bases he was promoted to AAA with the Charlotte Knights in the International League. Over 32 games, before being called up to the White Sox, Semien was hitting .262 with 4 home runs and 17 RBI for the Knights.
In his Major League debut on Wednesday, September 4, Semien started at third base and went 2 for 4 with an RBI and notched his first Major League hit in the 2nd inning off of C.C. Sabathia of the Yankees.
The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate League in North America. The 2013 season marked the 20th season of Northwoods League baseball. 115 former players have gone on to play Major League baseball. Notable alumni of the league include Curtis Granderson (Yankees), Chris Sale (White Sox), Max Scherzer (Tigers), Josh Willingham (Twins) and Jordan Zimmermann (Nationals).
