With just one week into the 2026 season, the chatter surrounding Marcus Semien has started becoming loud.
Coming into the season there were concerns about the second basemen after coming off an underwhelming 2025 season in Texas which saw him bat .230 – well under his career batting average of .257. The power that allowed him to hit 45 bro bombs in 2021, has begun to steadily decline over the years, as he hit 15 – the least home runs he has hit in a full season since 2018. Is he washed? Is the bat speed ghost? Is he a good fit in Queens? These are just a few questions that were heard.
Semien Shakes Off Slow Start, Goes 7-For-15 Against San Francisco Giants
Semien did nothing to quell the doubters, getting off to a quiet spring and an even quieter start to the year with his new team. The criticism began to get louder & to be fair, a 0-for-20 start will do that. Everyone knows that the spotlight of playing in NY can be unforgiving, and even a player known for consistency throughout his career can become a question mark.
Most players can fold under that type of pressure, but Semien is a different type of guy and has stayed consistent to his process. Such work began to bear fruit this past weekend in San Francisco. Semien hit his first home run during the series, a three-run no-doubt shot to left centerfield. He proceeded to go 7-for-15 over the four-game series vs. the Giants, adding two extra-base hits and four RBIs.
That had to have felt good for Semien, but you would never know if he was stressed because he historically has been calm, composed and confident.
“It’s taking some time so far, but definitely no panic in me,” Semien told reporters earlier in the week.
Marcus Semien Has To Replace Fan Favorite Brandon Nimmo
The 2025 Gold Glove second baseman was brought in with expectations to replace one of the most beloved Met players in recent history – Brandon Nimmo, a player who wasn’t just productive but deeply connected to the heart strings of the fanbase.
Nimmo’s production went beyond the box score; he provided infectious energy and was the leader of the team in the eyes of many. It’s often easier to replace production in sports than the emotional connection a player provides to his teammates and a fan base.
Staying true to himself and having consistent at-bats, providing stellar defense, and remaining a steady presence in the clubhouse – which the team was lacking last year, will undoubtedly earn him major props from the fans in due time. In a demanding city like New York, that kind of professionalism and production doesn’t go unnoticed.
