Prospect Semien makes second career start

BALTIMORE -- Marcus Semien said he was excited to get his second career start on Saturday against the Orioles, and he was also looking forward to returning with the team to Chicago.

Then, he will get the opportunity to see U.S. Cellular Field for the first time as a Major Leaguer.

Semien got his first career start on Wednesday against the Yankees and went 2-for-4 with an RBI playing third base. Semien was primarily a shortstop in the Minors, but on Saturday, manager Robin Ventura again started him at third in place of Jeff Keppinger, who moved over to first.

"It's always exciting when you're playing," said Semien, who went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Saturday's 4-3 loss before he was pinch-hit for in the 10th. "I've been happy to be up here, and I am trying to learn as much as I can. Today, I'll just treat it like any other game and try as hard as I can."

Ventura has said that he wants to get an extended look at some of the younger players in September to see if they can be viable options for the Major League club next season.

"I am just focused on what I can do right now to help the team and what I can do to play my best baseball," Semien said. "I am doing some early hitting and some early defense, keeping the blood flowing. In the Minor Leagues, I pretty much played everyday. This is my first time coming off the bench."

Semien, Chicago's eighth-ranked prospect according to MLB.com, played at both Double-A Birmingham, where he led the league in runs (90) and on-base percentage (.420), and Triple-A Charlotte this season.

Ventura said there hasn't seemed to be too big of an adjustment for Semien at the Major League level.

"He looked like he belonged," Ventura said. "We want to give him as many at-bats as we got to see what we've got as far as next year. It started in New York and he's gonna continue to get opportunities as we go along."