#HIGHFIVE | Top Black and brown MLB Players (Week 9)

Marcus Semien reminded us why he entered this season as the undisputed-best second baseman in the Majors.  He takes the top spot on Week 9 of our #HighFive List after joining the company of Hall of Famer Joe Morgan.

1. Marcus Semien

Marcus Semien put his name amongst the greatest players of all-time yet again. This time, he became the first player since Joe Morgan in 1973 to record seven hits and three home runs on a single calendar day during the Rangers double-header against the Guardians.

His seven hits tied a franchise record with former MLBbro Marlon Byrd for most in a double header – he did it in Cleveland as well, back in 2009.

“He can turn around a speeding bullet, there is no pitch he cannot hit,” Rangers manager Chris Woodward told reporters.

Woodward has shown confidence in Semien, leaving him in the leadoff spot or in the two-hole every game this season despite his slow start.

Now Woodward and his Rangers are reaping the benefits from their seven-year, $175 million deal they gave Semien this offseason.

Over his last seven games, Semien is batting .414 with five home runs, five RBI, a .931 slugging percentage and his stolen base total has risen 10.

Semien will look to continue his hot streak this weekend in The Chi against Tim Anderson and the White Sox.

2. Aaron Judge

Major League Baseball’s current home-run leader is on pace to hit 65 this year, which would tie him for the fourth most all-time in a single season – only eight behind home run King Barry Bonds, who hit 73 in 2001.

Judge hit four home runs this week, including the first leadoff homer of his career Saturday, when he sent the first pitch of the afternoon from Tigers pitcher Beau Beski to the right-field bleachers.

If the season ended today, Judge would run away with the American League MVP award.

He put himself in a class of his own, as he is the only player currently with 40 RBI, 15 or more home runs, a better than .300 batting average and an OPS over 1.000.

Judge hit .357 this week and had drew five walks while driving in seven runs, to go along with those four homers.

This weekend, Judge continues his hot streak when the Chicago Cubs come to town.

3. Josiah Gray

Josiah Gray has been filthy over his last three starts, posting a 1.13 ERA with 18 strikeouts and a 2-0 record.

In his start Wednesday against Jazz Chisholm Jr. and the Miami Marlins, Gray forced 15 swings-and-misses, 11 coming via slider as well as seven called strikes on his curveball.

Gray earned the title of Rob Parker’s Homeboi Highlight this week and now has a 6-4 record this season.

His next start will come Monday when the reigning World Series Champions visit the nation’s capital.

4. Hunter Greene

Hunter Greene bounced back from a few tough outings, throwing a gem Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Greene became the first rookie pitcher since 1989 to throw seven innings and face the minimum number of batters.

Rain ended the game in the seventh inning, saving Diamondback hitters from further embarrassment.

Greene struck out eight batters, allowed one hit with no walks to earn the victory. He now has 24 strikeouts and only two walks over his last three starts.

 

His next start will come this Saturday when his Reds travel to St. Louis to take on their division-rival Cardinals.

5. Michael Harris II

Braves top prospect and Georgia native Michael “Money” Harris II only needed 11 games to become a fan favorite and make an impact as part of one of the best lineups in baseball.

Harris’s speed has been on full display: Tuesday night, he chased down a ball in the right-centerfield gap and prevented what would have been extra bases.

Then came Wednesday. With runners on second and third with no outs, Harris knocked in two runs on a triple down the right field line, opening the floodgates in the Braves 13-2 victory over Oakland.

Through his last seven games, Harris is batting .321 with four RBI and a walk to go along with some elite defense.

This weekend Harris and the Braves are set for a four-game series against Ke’Bryan Hayes and the Pirates.