Blue Jays’ Semien beats Vladdy, Teoscar for AL Player of the Month

Marcus Semien was the best player in the American League during the month of May. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Marcus Semien bet on himself this past offseason by signing a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, and it’s paid off.

Semien was named the American League Player of the Month on Wednesday after tearing the cover off the ball in May. All told the 30-year-old hit .368 with a 1.130 OPS for the month, tallying eight home runs and 22 RBI in 28 games. He also tacked on two stolen bases for good measure.

With George Springer out of the lineup for all but four games so far this season, Semien has been a catalyst out of the Blue Jays’ leadoff spot, posting 2.7 WAR entering Wednesday’s action. Defensively, he’s transitioned seamlessly to second base after spending the past six seasons playing exclusively shortstop.

He’s positioned himself for a sizeable pay day this winter and proved his breakout 2019 campaign in which he finished third in AL MVP voting was no fluke. The upcoming free agent class is loaded with impact shortstops, but he should hit the market as the top second baseman available.

Semien’s May numbers ultimately stood in a league of their own, but he had stiff competition for the honour from a pair of teammates.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continued to light the league on fire and build his MVP case with a .302/.380/.613 slash line and nine home runs in May. The phenom currently leads the majors in WAR at 3.4 and owns an absurd 199 wRC+ (league average being 100).

Teoscar Hernandez also did plenty of damage out of the cleanup spot, making opposing pitchers pay if they chose to pitch around Vladdy. The 28-year-old rebounded after battling COVID-19 and hit .343 for the month with a .959 OPS and four stolen bases.

Once Toronto adds Springer to the mix, this lineup will look even more like a murderer’s row than it already does, and more accolades could easily pile up. Stay tuned.

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