{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1998)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name = Austin Shenton |image = Austin Shenton (53625631587) (cropped).jpg |caption = Shenton with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024 |team = El Águila de Veracruz |number = 23 |position = First baseman / Designated hitter |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|1|22}} |birth_place = Spokane, Washington, U.S. |bats = Left |throws = Right |debutleague = MLB |debutdate = March 31 |debutyear = 2024 |debutteam = Tampa Bay Rays |statleague = MLB |statyear = 2024 season |stat1label = Batting average |stat1value = .214 |stat2label = Home runs |stat2value = 1 |stat3label = Runs batted in |stat3value = 3 |teams = * Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2024}}) }} '''Austin P. Shenton''' (born January 22, 1998) is an American professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter for the El Águila de Veracruz of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays.
==Amateur career== Shenton attended Bellingham High School in Bellingham, Washington. He hit .472 with a .700 on-base percentage as a high school senior.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Austin Shenton - 2019 - Baseball |url=https://fiusports.com/sports/baseball/roster/austin-shenton/7125 |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=FIU Athletics |language=en}}</ref> He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 34th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft but did not sign with the team.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Lauren |date=June 11, 2016 |title=Indians select Shenton in MLB draft |url=https://www.bellinghamherald.com/sports/high-school/prep-baseball-softball/article83276637.html |access-date=July 31, 2023 |website=Bellingham Herald}}</ref>
Shenton initially committed to playing college baseball for the Washington Huskies but switched to playing at Bellevue College so he could keep his draft eligibility.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schrager |first=Daniel |date=2024-04-16 |title=Former Bellingham High baseball star Austin Shenton talks about his new life in the majors |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/former-bellingham-high-baseball-star-120000926.html |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Villa |first=Walter |date=February 8, 2019 |title=His mother’s health weighs heavily on him, but this Panthers player still perseveres |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/conference-usa/florida-international-university/article225546625.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212225241/https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/conference-usa/florida-international-university/article225546625.html |archive-date=February 12, 2019 |work=Miami Herald}}</ref> At Bellevue, he hit .395 with 7 home runs.<ref name=":2" /> After going undrafted in 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLB Draft Tracker 2017 |url=https://www.mlb.com/draft/tracker/2017/undrafted/position/first-basemen |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> he then transferred to Florida International University. In two seasons with the Panthers, he hit .337 with 16 home runs in 105 games. He was twice named to the All-Conference USA second team.<ref name=":2" />
He played collegiate summer baseball with the Bellingham Bells in 2016 and 2017, then the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2018, where he was named an all-star and the playoff most valuable player after Wareham's league championship.<ref>{{cite web |author=Goisman |first=Matt |date=August 14, 2018 |title=Wareham Gatemen ride 6–0 postseason to CCBL title |url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/sports/20180814/wareham-gatemen-ride-6-0-postseason-to-ccbl-title |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128052320/https://www.southcoasttoday.com/sports/20180814/wareham-gatemen-ride-6-0-postseason-to-ccbl-title |archive-date=November 28, 2019 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |website=South Coast Today |publisher=}}</ref><ref name=":4" />
==Professional career== ===Seattle Mariners=== The Seattle Mariners selected Shenton in the fifth round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft, and he signed with the team, getting a $336,000 signing bonus.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Brock |first=Corey |title=Mariners prospect Austin Shenton helps make more room in ‘a place for friends’ |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1520657/2020/01/09/mariners-prospect-austin-shenton-helps-make-more-room-in-a-place-for-friends/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |work=The Athletic |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Instagram |postid=ByeNFjGlbEP |user=austin_shenton |title=Officially, official! Extremely grateful that the Seattle Mariners have given me this opportunity! |first=Austin |last=Shenton |date=June 9, 2019}}</ref> Shenton grew up rooting for the Mariners and dreaming he would play for the team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trent |first=Eric |date=June 11, 2019 |title=Dream come true: Seattle Mariners draft, sign Bellingham grad |url=https://www.lyndentribune.com/sports/dream-come-true-seattle-mariners-draft-sign-bellingham-grad/article_057678b0-8c6b-11e9-8a34-a70378d0096a.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416235051/https://www.lyndentribune.com/sports/dream-come-true-seattle-mariners-draft-sign-bellingham-grad/article_057678b0-8c6b-11e9-8a34-a70378d0096a.html |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Lynden Tribune}}</ref> He started his professional career that June with the Everett AquaSox before being promoted in mid-July to the West Virginia Power. He batted .298 with seven home runs and 36 RBI over 53 games between both teams in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Andrew |date=2019-07-26 |title=Mariners draft pick, former AquaSox refuses to be ordinary |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/mariners-draft-pick-former-aquasox-refuses-to-be-ordinary/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=HeraldNet.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Austin Shenton Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=shento000aus |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adler |first=David |date=June 30, 2020 |title=2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled |website=MLB.com}}</ref> Shenton spent the summer in Tacoma as part of Seattle's 60-man player pool.<ref>{{cite web | last=Smith | first=Lauren | title=Mariners prospect Austin Shenton makes history as latest to tame center field wall in Tacoma | website=Tacoma News Tribune | date=August 12, 2020 | url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/mlb/seattle-mariners/article244885817.html | access-date=July 31, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Divish |first=Ryan |author-link=Ryan Divish |date=August 13, 2020 |title=Jose Canseco, Jay Buhner … Austin Shenton? Mariners prospect joins Cheney Stadium lore with 453-foot homer |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/jose-canseco-jay-buhner-austin-shenton-mariners-prospect-joins-cheney-stadium-lore-with-453-foot-homer/ |website=Seattle Times}}</ref> Shenton started 2021 with Everett before being promoted to the Double–A Arkansas Travelers in mid-July.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Til |first=Cameron Van |date=2021-07-17 |title=AquaSox slugger Shenton promoted to Double-A Arkansas |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/aquasox-slugger-shenton-promoted-to-double-a-arkansas/ |access-date= |website=HeraldNet.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Tampa Bay Rays=== On July 29, 2021, the Mariners traded Shenton and reliever J.T. Chargois to the Tampa Bay Rays for reliever Diego Castillo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Divish |first=Ryan |author-link=Ryan Divish |date=July 29, 2021 |title=Mariners get reliever Diego Castillo from Rays in exchange for J.T. Chargois and Austin Shenton |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-get-reliever-diego-castillo-from-rays-in-exchange-for-j-t-chargois-and-austin-shenton/ |access-date=July 29, 2021 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Shenton was assigned to the Montgomery Biscuits. His season ended in mid-August due to a thumb injury. Over 80 games between Everett, Arkansas, and Montgomery, he slashed .295/.398/.549 with 14 home runs and 70 RBI.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Topkin |first=Marc |author-link=Marc Topkin |date=August 20, 2021 |title=Austin Shenton Makes Quality Contact |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/austin-shenton-makes-quality-contact/ |website=Baseball America}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Austin Shenton 2021 Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Game Logs & Splits |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=shento000aus&type=bgl&year=2021 |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
Shenton returned to Montgomery in 2022, but a hip injury ended his season on June 22.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Topkin |first=Marc |author-link=Marc Topkin |title=‘Pretty crazy story’ of Austin Shenton’s journey to majors with Rays |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2024/04/06/austin-shenton-mariners-foster-parents-bellingham-washington-fiu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240408114909/https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2024/04/06/austin-shenton-mariners-foster-parents-bellingham-washington-fiu/ |archive-date=April 8, 2024 |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Austin Shenton 2022 Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Game Logs & Splits |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=shento000aus&type=bgl&year=2022 |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He also started wearing corrective lens to address vision issues, including astigmatism.<ref name=":0" /> Shenton was on the Biscuits for a third consecutive season to start 2023, then advancing to the Triple-A Durham Bulls in July. He hit .304 with 29 home runs and 99 RBI for Montgomery and Durham in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Austin Shenton 2023 Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Game Logs & Splits |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=shento000aus&type=bgl&year=2023 |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He led the International League in total bases following his July promotion to Durham.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=J. J. |date=2023-09-25 |title=Prospect Report: Austin Shenton Is a Sneaky Sleeper |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/prospect-report-austin-shenton-is-a-sneaky-sleeper/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Baseball America |language=}}</ref>
Shenton was optioned to Durham before the start of the 2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 15, 2024 |title=Rays' Austin Shenton: Optioned to minors camp |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-austin-shenton-optioned-to-minors-camp/amp/ |website=CBS Sports |language=en |agency=RotoWire}}</ref> However, following several players' injuries, Shenton was added to the Rays' Opening Day roster.<ref name="q954">{{cite web | last=Topkin | first=Marc | title=Rays pick Austin Shenton, trade for Ben Rortvedt to complete roster | website=Tampa Bay Times | date=2024-03-27 | url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2024/03/27/austin-shenton-ben-rortvedt-burch-smith-niko-goodrum-naoyuki-uwasawa/ | access-date=2025-02-15}}</ref> He made his major league debut on March 31 as a defensive replacement, hitting a flyout in his first at bat.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Austin Shenton flies out to left fielder Davis Schneider. {{!}} 03/31/2024 |url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/video/austin-shenton-flies-out-to-left-fielder-davis-schneider |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays Box Score: March 31, 2024 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TBA/TBA202403310.shtml |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Topkin |first=Marc |author-link=Marc Topkin |date=April 1, 2024 |title=1st Rays start meant even more to Austin Shenton with parents on hand |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2024/04/01/austin-shenton-junior-caminero-injury-jake-odorizzi/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240402113401/https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2024/04/01/austin-shenton-junior-caminero-injury-jake-odorizzi/ |archive-date=April 2, 2024 |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref> He got his first MLB hit and RBI on a groundball double off Dakota Hudson of the Colorado Rockies on April 7.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Austin Shenton hits an RBI double to left {{!}} 04/07/2024 |url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/video/austin-shenton-hits-an-rbi-double-to-left |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Topkin |first=Marc |date=2024-04-08 |title=Rays’ Austin Shenton has more to celebrate: first MLB hit, first RBI |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/rays-austin-shenton-more-celebrate-015700832.html |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US |agency=Tampa Bay Times}}</ref> Shenton stayed on the Rays roster until May 14, when he was optioned to Durham.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Topkin |first=Marc |author-link=Marc Topkin |date=May 14, 2024 |title=Jonathan Aranda activated by Rays, Austin Shenton optioned to Durham |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2024/05/14/jonathan-aranda-activated-by-rays-austin-shenton-optioned-durham/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240514221917/https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2024/05/14/jonathan-aranda-activated-by-rays-austin-shenton-optioned-durham/ |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref> On September 5, the Rays recalled Shenton from Triple-A after posting a slash line of .258/.361/.497 in 83 games with 20 home runs and 65 RBI following his demotion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-05 |title=Tampa Bay Rays Roster Moves: Austin Shenton, Alex Jackson and MORE! |url=https://thereportonsports.com/tampa-bay-rays-roster-moves-austin-shenton-alex-jackson-and-more/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=The Report on Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> In 19 games in his first season in the majors,<!-- Previous version said "rookie season," but he still has rookie eligibility. --> he batted .214/.340/.405 with one home run and three RBI. Shenton primarily played first base for the first time in his career in 2024, after mainly being a third baseman.<ref name=":4" /> On November 18, Shenton was designated for assignment by the Rays.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Darragh |date=2024-11-18 |title=Rays Designate Austin Shenton For Assignment |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/rays-designate-austin-shenton-for-assignment.html |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Seattle Mariners (second stint)=== On November 19, 2024, Shenton was traded back to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations. Shenton took the roster spot formerly held by J. T. Chargois, who was traded with Shenton to the Rays in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morgenstern |first=Leo |date=2024-11-19 |title=Mariners Trade For Austin Shenton, DFA JT Chargois |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/mariners-trade-for-austin-shenton-dfa-jt-chargois.html |access-date= |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Divish |first=Ryan |author-link=Ryan Divish |date=2024-11-19 |title=Mariners bring back former prospect in trade with Rays |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-trade-with-rays-for-their-own-former-prospect-austin-shenton/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Shenton was optioned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers to begin the 2025 season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Seattle Mariners Option Reserve Outfielder, Infielder to Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/mariners/news/seattle-mariners-option-reserve-outfielder-dominic-canzone-and-infielder-austin-shenton-to-triple-a-tacoma-rainiers|access-date=March 28, 2025|website=si.com|language=en}}</ref> In 39 appearances for Tacoma, he slashed .207/.284/.413 with eight home runs and 26 RBI. On May 20, Shenton was designated for assignment by the Mariners.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mariners Select Casey Lawrence, Designate Austin Shenton For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/mariners-select-casey-lawrence-designate-austin-shenton-for-assignment.html|access-date=May 20, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Tacoma on May 26.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mariners Outright Austin Shenton, Jesse Hahn|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/mariners-outright-austin-shenton-jesse-hahn.html|access-date=May 26, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=es}}</ref> Shenton elected free agency following the season on November 6.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2025|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2025/|access-date=November 28, 2025|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Transactions | website=MiLB.com | date=2025-11-06 | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2025-11-06/p-7 | access-date=2025-11-28}}</ref>
===El Águila de Veracruz=== On April 21, 2026, Shenton signed with the El Águila de Veracruz of the Mexican League.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 21 de abril de 2026|url=https://lmb.com.mx/noticias/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-21-de-abril-de-2026|access-date=May 16, 2026|website=lmb.com.mx|language=es}}</ref>
==Personal life== Shenton was adopted by his aunt, Andrea Shenton, and uncle, Dana, when he was 5 years old, after spending two years in foster care.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> He grew up with an older brother, Ian, Andrea's son, who suffered from seizures and developmental disabilities. Shenton has raised money and donated part of his draft signing bonus to the Max Higbee Center, a nonprofit organization supporting teens and adults with developmental disabilities in his hometown of Bellingham.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> Shenton's Mariners teammate George Kirby has also supported the organization.<ref>{{Cite Instagram |postid=CqtmDytuchJ |user=austin_shenton |title=Excited to kick off the 2023 season and announce the return of the #ABaseandK4Friends campaign for another year! Just like last year, I'll be donating $5 per single, $10 per double, $15 per triple, and $20 per Home Run to the Max Higbee Center throughout the season. |first=Austin |last=Shenton |date=April 7, 2023}}</ref>
Shenton has no contact with his biological parents, and he has three other siblings. He is a member of the Chickasaw Nation.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" />
Shenton's mother, Andrea Shenton, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, which led him to consider leaving Florida International, though she requested that he continue playing baseball.<ref name=":5" />
Shenton enjoys golf, using part of his draft signing bonus to buy new golf clubs.<ref name=":1" /> He also played basketball and tennis in high school.<ref name=":2" /> He was an all-conference tennis player his senior season.<ref name=":3" />
Shenton co-owns a baseball training facility in Bellingham.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=AUSTIN SHENTON |url=https://www.oneforonetraining.com/austin |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=One for One Training |language=en}}</ref>
Shenton was a vegetarian and aspiring travel photographer, as of 2019.<ref name=":5" />
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Baseballstats|mlb=668853|espn=42875|br=s/shentau01|fangraphs=25425|brm=shento000aus|retro=S/Pshena001}}
* {{Instagram|id=austin_shenton}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shenton, Austin}} Category:1998 births Category:Living people Category:American expatriate baseball players in Mexico Category:Arkansas Travelers players Category:Baseball players from Spokane, Washington Category:Bellingham Bells players Category:Durham Bulls players Category:El Águila de Veracruz players Category:Everett AquaSox players Category:FIU Panthers baseball players Category:Major League Baseball first basemen Category:Major League Baseball third basemen Category:Montgomery Biscuits players Category:Tacoma Rainiers players Category:Tampa Bay Rays players Category:Wareham Gatemen players Category:West Virginia Power players Category:Bellingham High School (Washington) alumni