Fansided

25 most important stars for MLB playoffs

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees follows through on a sixth inning home run against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 21, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees follows through on a sixth inning home run against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 21, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 27: Marcus Semien #10 of the Oakland Athletics follows through on a home run in the fist inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on September 27, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 27: Marcus Semien #10 of the Oakland Athletics follows through on a home run in the fist inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on September 27, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

8. Marcus Semien

The Oakland offense put up another solid season, finishing in the top five in the American League in most major offensive categories and got close to breaking the old record for most home runs in a single season. They did it again with another relatively unknown lineup outside of superstar third baseman Matt Chapman. Chapman, however, did not turn in the best individual season on the team.

That honor goes to shortstop Marcus Semien.

The 29-year-old shortstop had the finest season of his career by far, emerging as an MVP candidate (albeit a distant third behind Mike Trout and Alex Bregman) and putting to rest any doubts about his long-term future in the league. Semien had flashed promise during his first six years in the big leagues but had frustrated the A’s with a lack of consistency.

Semien hit .285/.370/.523 on the year with 43 doubles, 33 home runs and 92 RBI. Most impressively, he walked 87 times, completely shedding his reputation as a free swinger. Semien will be in the running for postseason awards after getting snubbed at the All-Star Game. If the A’s are to get through the Wild Card Game and play deeper into October, their shortstop will have to step up and star.

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