Marcus Semien (SS, OAK) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 27% Yahoo

ANALYSIS: This isn't the first time I've sung the praises of Marcus Semien, and it probably won't be the last. Last season, Semien was the only shortstop to hit at least 25 home runs and steal at least 10 bases. Sure, he only hit .238, but that pop and speed combo made him plenty useful in all but the shallowest mixers. In the first week and a half of this season, Semien had yet to hit a home run but had already swiped four bases. Then he suffered a broken wrist that knocked him out until early last month.

Since returning to action on July 6, Semien has hit .262/.330/.440 with four homers, three steals, and 29 R+RBI. That production has been enough to place him eighth among shortstops over the last 30 days, ahead of more widely-owned players like Francisco Lindor, Trevor Story, and Corey Seager. He's unlikely to keep outproducing those guys over the remainder of the season, but Semien is worthy of a higher ownership rate than the one he currently possesses.