Marcus Semien has emerged as one of Major League Baseball’s most dynamic infielders over the past decade. A switch from shortstop to second base unlocked his full potential, leading to record-breaking power numbers, award recognition, and a lucrative contract with the Texas Rangers.
Off the field, he balances family life with his wife Tarah Murrey and their four children, while amassing significant career earnings and endorsements.
Marcus Semien’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marcus Andrew Semien |
| Date of Birth | September 17, 1990 |
| Age | 34 |
| Education | St. Mary’s College High School; University of California, Berkeley |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Turned Pro | Drafted 2011; MLB debut September 4, 2013 |
| Net Worth | $208.9 million |
| Salary | $26,000,000 |
| Career Earnings | $136,863,653 |
| Wife | Tarah Murrey |
| Instagram Profile | N/A |
| Twitter Profile | N/A |
Early Career
Marcus Semien’s journey toward the big leagues began long before he donned a major league uniform. Growing up in the Bay Area, he played youth baseball in El Cerrito and honed his skills on neighborhood diamonds, quickly earning a reputation for his athleticism and strong arm.
At St. Mary’s College High School in Berkeley, Semien emerged as one of Northern California’s most promising shortstops. As a junior, he batted over .470 and was named all-league for the first of three consecutive seasons. His senior year saw him hit .371 with standout defensive plays that drew the attention of college recruiters and pro scouts alike.
Rather than sign after being selected in the 34th round of the 2008 MLB Draft, Semien chose to refine his game at the University of California, Berkeley. With the Golden Bears, he faced tougher competition and adjusted to the demands of college pitching. After a freshman campaign that tested his patience at the plate, he rebounded as a sophomore by hitting .328 and showcasing both speed on the bases and emerging gap power.
His junior season solidified his status as a legitimate major league prospect: he anchored Cal’s infield, helped the team make a College World Series appearance, and earned All-Pac-10 honors despite a few ups and downs at the plate. By the end of his junior year, Semien had developed a more disciplined approach, laying the groundwork for his transition to professional baseball.
The Chicago White Sox selected Semien in the sixth round of the 2011 MLB Draft with the 201st overall pick, drawn by his blend of athleticism and projectable swing. He began his pro career with the Kannapolis Intimidators, where he hit .253, drove in 26 runs, and swiped three bases over 229 at-bats.
His steady progression earned a promotion to the Winston-Salem Dash in 2012, and there he posted a .273 average with 14 homers, 59 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases, showing the kind of power-speed combination that scouts covet. Entering 2013 as one of Chicago’s top prospects, Semien split time between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte.
He finished the year with a .290 average, 38 extra-base hits, and was named the Southern League’s Player of the Year, cementing his status as a future big leaguer.
Professional Career
Marcus Semien made his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox on September 4, 2013, after rising quickly through their farm system. In those first few weeks, he collected his first hit and home run, giving a glimpse of the bat speed and defensive range that had scouts excited.
The following season, Semien received more regular playing time, splitting time between third base and shortstop. He hit 15 home runs in 113 games in 2014, but also battled inconsistency at the plate, which led to a brief demotion to Triple-A before he returned to Chicago to finish strong.
Oakland acquired Semien in December 2014, trading him to the A’s in a deal that signaled belief in his all-around potential. In 2015, he became the team’s everyday shortstop. He committed a league-high 35 errors, but his resilience and willingness to learn shone through.
Manager Bob Melvin kept him in the lineup, and Semien responded by tapping into a growing power stroke, finishing the year with 15 home runs and 11 stolen bases. He rebounded defensively the next season, cutting his error total significantly while driving 27 homers and swiping 10 bags in 2016. His hustle on the bases and ability to hit the ball hard to all fields marked him as one of the game’s most exciting middle infielders.
The pandemic-shortened 2020 season saw Semien hit .223 with seven homers in 53 games, but teams took notice of the improvements he had made in both approach and power potential. That set the stage for a one-year, $18 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays in January 2021. In Toronto’s hitter-friendly park, Semien exploded.
He set the single-season home run record for a primary second baseman with 45, drove in 102 runs, and led the majors in extra-base hits. He earned his first All-Star nod, won both a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove at second base, and finished third in AL MVP voting.
Wife
Marcus Semien met his wife, Tarah Lynette Murrey, while they were both student-athletes at St.
Mary’s College High School in Berkeley and later at the University of California, Berkeley. Tarah, born March 29, 1990, in Santa Clara, California, was a standout volleyball player throughout high school and college, earning recognition for her athleticism and leadership on the court.
The couple married on January 28, 2012, soon after their collegiate careers concluded, and they’ve maintained a strong partnership ever since.
The Semiens have four young children together: three sons-Isaiah (born 2015), Joshua (born 2018) and Eli (born 2021)-and a daughter, Amelie Carol Anne (born October 12, 2023), welcomed just before Marcus returned to the field for the 2023 American League Championship Series.
Tarah, who has worked in volleyball coaching and sports coordination, manages their busy household and supports Marcus through the rigors of a major league season. The family resides in Berkeley during the off-season and maintains a private lifestyle, opting out of public social media profiles to focus on their home life.
Marcus Semien’s Net Worth Details
Marcus Semien’s net worth is estimated to be $208.9 million as of 2025.
Contract
Marcus Semien’s free‐agent pact with the Texas Rangers, agreed upon in late 2021, spans seven years and is worth $175 million in fully guaranteed money. The agreement carries an average annual value of $25 million and is structured with base salaries of $25 million in 2022, $26 million each season from 2023 through 2027, and a $20 million salary in the final 2028 campaign, with no signing bonuses or performance incentives included.
Salary
Marcus Semien will earn a base salary of $26 million as part of his seven-year, $175 million fully guaranteed contract with the Texas Rangers, reflecting an average annual value of $25 million.
His deal is structured with a $25 million salary in 2022, followed by $26 million each year from 2023 through 2027, and a $20 million salary in the final 2028 campaign, with no signing bonuses or performance incentives included.
Each year’s salary is paid in cash without deferments, providing Semien with consistent, high-value compensation that has propelled his career earnings past $136 million to date.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Chicago White Sox | $74,972 |
| 2020 | Oakland Athletics | $13,000,000 |
| 2021 | Toronto Blue Jays | $18,000,000 |
| 2022 | Texas Rangers | $25,000,000 |
| 2023 | Texas Rangers | $26,000,000 |
| 2024 | Texas Rangers | $26,000,000 |
| 2025 | Texas Rangers | $26,000,000 |
MLB Career Statistics
| Statistic | Total (Through May 1, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Batting average | .254 |
| Hits | 1,526 |
| Home runs | 240 |
| Runs batted in | 752 |
| Stolen bases | 129 |
FAQs
1. What teams has Marcus Semien played for in his MLB career?
Marcus Semien began his career with the Chicago White Sox after being drafted in 2011. He debuted in 2013 and was traded to the Oakland Athletics in late 2014. After four seasons in Oakland, he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays for 2021, then inked a seven-year deal with the Texas Rangers following that season.
2. Which defensive positions does Marcus Semien play?
Primarily a shortstop early in his career, Marcus Semien transitioned into a true two-way infielder. He routinely plays both shortstop and second base, providing the Rangers with Gold Glove-caliber defense on the infield’s left side and offering flexibility in late-game defensive alignments.
3. What notable awards has Marcus Semien won?
Semien was named an All-Star, won the American League Gold Glove Award for his defensive excellence, and took home the Silver Slugger Award for offensive production among his position. He later earned a World Series ring in 2023 as a key contributor to the Texas Rangers championship team.
4. When and where was Marcus Semien born?
Marcus Andrew Semien was born on September 17, 1990, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in the Bay Area and played college baseball at the University of California, Berkeley before entering the MLB Draft.
5. What are Marcus Semien’s career batting statistics through early 2025?
Semien has amassed a .254 batting average, collected over 1,526 hits, belted 240 home runs, driven in 752 runs and stolen 129 bases. His career on-base plus slugging (OPS) sits at approximately .758, reflecting balanced offensive production.
6. What contract did Marcus Semien sign with the Texas Rangers?
Semien agreed to a seven-year, $175 million contract with the Texas Rangers. The deal positioned him as the team’s long-term middle infield anchor both offensively and defensively, and included club options to extend his tenure through the late 2020s.
7. When did Marcus Semien make his Major League Baseball debut?
Semien made his MLB debut on September 4, 2013, as a member of the Chicago White Sox. He entered the game as a shortstop and recorded his first major league appearances over the final month of that season before becoming a full-time starter in subsequent years.
8. How did Marcus Semien contribute to the Rangers’ 2023 World Series victory?
Semien anchored the Texas Rangers’ middle infield with steady glove work and timely hitting. His leadership and consistent offensive output helped the Rangers secure their first championship in franchise history, with Semien providing key hits and defensive stops in pivotal games.
9. What significant career milestones has Marcus Semien reached?
Semien recorded the 1,500th hit of his career at the Oakland Coliseum, joining an exclusive group of players to do so at that venue. He is among a small number of active players with at least 240 home runs, 129 stolen bases and over 1,500 hits.
10. What was Marcus Semien’s path to the Major Leagues?
After starring at the University of California, Berkeley, Semien was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox. He developed through the minors, showcasing both offensive and defensive talent, before his call-up in September 2013 to begin a career that spans four MLB franchises.
