Ben Sems

Benjamin Martin Sems

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 200 lbs.
• School University of Kansas, University of Michigan
• High School Westminster Christian Academy (St. Louis)

• Born February 16, 1998 in Akron, OH USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Unlike most North American professional ballplayers, Ben Sems didn't play little league until he was 11 years old, when his family moved to St. Louis. It was there that the Akron-born Sems caught the eye of former big league catcher (and future St. Louis Cardinals manager) Mike Matheny and became part of a Matheny-coached team.

Homeschooled until high school, Sems went on to have a five-year collegiate career. His first four years were with the University of Kansas, and his final season was with the University of Michigan. The Colorado Rockies took him in the 15th round of the 2021 Amateur Draft. His pro career commenced that summer with the ACL Rockies. At 23 years old, he was the oldest first-year professional on the team. While mostly a college shortstop, he split his time between third base, second base, and shortstop in the Arizona Complex League. He slashed .265/.406/.306 and stole 8 bases in 10 attempts.

To begin the 2022 season, he leapfrogged the Low-A level and went right into High-A with the Spokane Indians. However, he struggled and was and was sent down to the Low-A Fresno Grizzlies on June 11 after hitting .163 in 31 games and striking out an alarming 38 times in 92 at bats. In 60 games in Fresno, he slashed .245/.375/.396.

Sems' 2023 season didn't get underway until May 2nd. He was back in the Lilac City with the Indians, and despite hitting .227 during the first six-game series in Eugene against the Eugene Emeralds, he slashed .284/.419/.351 for the month of May. After a decent June, he hit below .200 the rest of the way and ended with a slash line of .222/.337/.259. He retired on March 21, 2024.

Further Reading

• Angelica Castelo: "Despite Late Start, Benjamin Sems Excels at Baseball", ku.edu, April 2, 2019 [1]