In Focus: Marcus Semien

Yankee Stadium was the venue; C.C. Sabathia toeing the rubber on a perfect September night in New York City.
 
Marcus Semien was a long way from Montgomery, Alabama, where his 2013 season began over five months ago.
 
Semien finished 2-for-4 with an RBI in his Major League debut, his first hit coming in the form of a single off the Yankees big left-hander.
 
It was the perfect cap to a career-year for the infielder. Semien began his journey in Double-A Birmingham, playing in 105 games for the Barons. He got off to a hot start after batting .305 in 25 April games.
 
Yet, the speedster's claim to fame this season was his run total. Semien tallied 14 times in April, his lowest number of the season.
 
Semien would end up scoring 90 runs over his 105 games with the Barons headlined by tallying 28 times over 26 July games leading up to his promotion to Charlotte. July would also bring about his best power surge of the year, as the California native would rip eight home runs in the month. In his last nine games with Birmingham, Semien hit .531 (17-for-32), five home runs, 14 RBI, and 14 runs scored.
 
He continued his hot play with the Charlotte Knights after his promotion on August 1st, hitting safely in eight of his first nine games. The home runs also continued to fly for Semien, blasting four in 10 games from August 6th to the 16th.
 
In 32 games for the Knights, he hit .264 with four home runs, 17 RBI, and 20 runs scored. Semien put up an impressive .409-2-9 line in 13 games at Knights Stadium.
 
Combined with his stats from Birmingham, he amassed career-highs in every offensive category from hits (147) to walks (98). Semien led all of Minor League Baseball with 110 runs scored, one better than Byron Buxton of the Fort Myers Miracle. Semien scored multiple runs in 28 games between Birmingham and Charlotte.
 
He was named the Southern League's Most Valuable Player, which becomes even more impressive when accomplished in 105 games. Semien still led the S.L in runs (90) and tied for second in walks (84) at the end of the season.  
 
The expansion of Major League rosters brought about a September promotion for Marcus Semien, who made the leap to the White Sox on September 3rd.
 
It brought about a second inning matchup versus a Cy Young Winner, six-time All-Star, and World Series Champion C.C. Sabathia.
 
The grinding of 137 Minor League games in 2013 culminated with a soft line drive to right field.