Marcus Semien (SS, OAK) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

OWNED IN: 49% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Oakland Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien has a modest overall batting line sof .262/.321/.386, but he has notched double digits in home runs (10) and stolen bases (13) for the fourth consecutive season and is pacing toward 90 runs scored. He has done this while running the best strikeout rate of his career to boot.

The whiffs have gotten even more infrequent since the All-Star break (17.2%), during which time Semien has hit .294/.374/.451 with three homers, three steals, and 32 R+BI in 27 games. Nine of the 20 runs that Semien has scored have come in the last seven games, six of which he has a hit in, and he has also frequently been hitting atop the Athletics lineup.

Considering the offensive surge by the Athletics, where Semien can be driven in by the likes of Jed Lowrie, Khris Davis, and Matt Olson, Semien is a good addition in most leagues. If you are in an OBP league, Semien's 10.3% BB rate since the All-Star break is very attractive as well.