MESA, Ariz. — Marcus Semien provides the A’s a luxury as a shortstop with great home run power.
With that, an annual question surfaces:
Where is the best spot to hit him in the batting order?
Semien led American League shortstops, and finished second on the A’s, with 27 homers last season, yet he spent the majority of his time hitting seventh or ninth. Given Oakland finished last in the American League in runs last season, would it make sense to move him up higher?
The early indications are that manager Bob Melvin will keep Semien hitting in the bottom third of the order, even though Semien has bounced around in exhibitions so far.