NEW YORK – Don’t talk to Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien about his hitting slump, which dates back to Opening Day. Entering Thursday’s action against the Yankees, Semien has a slash line of .178/.271/.236 with three homers and 17 RBIs.
How Is Marcus Semien Handling His Slump?
This is the same Marcus Semien who has won two Silver Slugger awards and been an All-Star three times. The more Semien talks about what’s going wrong in the batter’s box, it puts him in the worst frame of mind. Semien, 34, is staying positive and working hard with hitting coach Bret Boone to get out of the horrendous slump.
“I will continue to work through the slow start,” Semien said. “I’ve had slow starts before. One thing that will never change is my work ethic.”
It’s 4:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. Semien is near the batting cage listening to Boone about the art of hitting. Boone is encouraging and talking about the slumps he went through as a player from 1992-2005.
“[Boone] is able to use his knowledge and experience and relates to the players in a way that we haven’t had here in a while,” Semien said. “It has been fun to pick his brain, especially as a second baseman. He was an everyday guy. I feel I’m an everyday guy. It’s cool to talk to him in the cage.”
Boone isn’t the only one giving Semien words of encouragement. Semien’s wife, Tarah, is always by his side. Once a volleyball player, Tarah knows how hard it is to compete at the highest level.
“She says to stay prayerful, stay in the grind, but also know that family is there for you,” Semien recalls.
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy is confident that Semien will get out his slump and put up the power numbers he is known to put up.
“He is going through a stretch right now. He is trying some things,” Bochy said about Semien. “Believe me, he has changed stances a few times. If you don’t know, Marcus works harder than anybody on this club. He is working hard to get back on track here. It’s going to click. I believe it. We will see a different Marcus.”
