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'''Austin P. Shenton''' (born January 22, 1998) is an American [[professional baseball]] [[third baseman]] for the [[Seattle Mariners]] of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.
'''Austin P. Shenton''' (born January 22, 1998) is an American [[professional baseball]] [[third baseman]] for the [[Seattle Mariners]] of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the [[Tampa Bay Rays]] in 2024.


==Career==
==Career==
===Amateur career===
Shenton attended [[Bellingham High School (Washington)|Bellingham High School]] in [[Bellingham, Washington]]. He was drafted by the [[Cleveland Indians]] in the 34th round of the [[2016 Major League Baseball draft]] but did not sign and played [[college baseball]] at [[Florida International University]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Smith | first=Lauren | title=Indians select Shenton in MLB draft | website=Bellingham Herald | date=June 11, 2016 | url=https://www.bellinghamherald.com/sports/high-school/prep-baseball-softball/article83276637.html | access-date=July 31, 2023}}</ref> In 2018, he played [[collegiate summer baseball]] with the [[Wareham Gatemen]] of the [[Cape Cod Baseball League]], where he was named a league all-star and the playoff [[most valuable player]] of Wareham's league championship run.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pointstreak.com/baseball/player.html?playerid=1211838&seasonid=31242 |title=#12 Austin Shenton - Profile |publisher=pointstreak.com |access-date=August 28, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Matt Goisman |url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/sports/20180814/wareham-gatemen-ride-6-0-postseason-to-ccbl-title |title=Wareham Gatemen ride 6–0 postseason to CCBL title |publisher=southcoasttoday.com |date=August 14, 2018 |access-date=August 28, 2021}}</ref>
Shenton attended [[Bellingham High School (Washington)|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 baseball|Washington Huskies]] but switched to playing at [[Bellevue College]] so he could keep his [[Major League Baseball draft#Eligibility|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 [[FIU Panthers baseball|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" />


===Seattle Mariners===
===Seattle Mariners===
The [[Seattle Mariners]] selected Shenton in the fifth round of the [[2019 Major League Baseball draft]] and he signed with the team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lyndentribune.com/sports/dream-come-true-seattle-mariners-draft-sign-bellingham-grad/article_057678b0-8c6b-11e9-8a34-a70378d0096a.html|title = Dream come true: Seattle Mariners draft, sign Bellingham grad| date=June 11, 2019 }}</ref> He started his professional career that year with the [[Everett AquaSox]] before being promoted to the [[West Virginia Power]], batting .298 with seven home runs and 36 RBIs over 53 games between both teams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/mariners-draft-pick-former-aquasox-refuses-to-be-ordinary/|title = Mariners draft pick, former AquaSox refuses to be ordinary|date = July 26, 2019}}</ref> He did not play a minor league game in 2020 since the season was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled|website=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> He spent the summer as a member 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|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/jose-canseco-jay-buhner-austin-shenton-mariners-prospect-joins-cheney-stadium-lore-with-453-foot-homer/|title = Jose Canseco, Jay Buhner … Austin Shenton? Mariners prospect joins Cheney Stadium lore with 453-foot homer|date = August 13, 2020}}</ref> Shenton started 2021 with Everett before being promoted to the [[Arkansas Travelers]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/aquasox-slugger-shenton-promoted-to-double-a-arkansas/|title=AquaSox slugger Shenton promoted to Double-A Arkansas|date=July 17, 2021}}</ref>
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 in the United States|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===
===Tampa Bay Rays===
On July 29, 2021, the Mariners traded Shenton and [[J. T. Chargois]] to the [[Tampa Bay Rays]] in exchange for [[Diego Castillo (pitcher)|Diego Castillo]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Divish|first=Ryan|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> He was assigned to the [[Montgomery Biscuits]] where he finished the year. Over 80 games between Everett, Arkansas, and Montgomery he slashed .295/.398/.549 with 14 home runs and 70 RBI.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/austin-shenton-makes-quality-contact/|title = Austin Shenton Makes Quality Contact| date=August 20, 2021 }}</ref>
On July 29, 2021, the Mariners traded Shenton and reliever [[J. T. Chargois|J.T. Chargois]] to the [[Tampa Bay Rays]] for reliever [[Diego Castillo (pitcher)|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 [[Slash line|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>


On November 14, 2023, the Rays added Shenton to their [[40-man roster]] to protect him from the [[Rule 5 draft]]. He was optioned to the Triple–A [[Durham Bulls]] to begin the 2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rays' Austin Shenton: Optioned to minors camp|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-austin-shenton-optioned-to-minors-camp/amp/|date=March 15, 2024|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}</ref> However, following injuries to multiple players, Shenton was recalled to the Rays' [[Opening Day]] roster.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rays pick Austin Shenton, trade for Ben Rortvedt to complete roster|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2024/03/27/austin-shenton-ben-rortvedt-burch-smith-niko-goodrum-naoyuki-uwasawa/|access-date=March 27, 2024|website=tampabay.com|language=en}}</ref> On September 5, 2024, the Rays recalled Shenton from the minor leagues after posting a slash line of .258/.361/.497 in 83 games with 20 home runs, and 65 RBI since 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=thereportonsports.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In 19 games during his rookie campaign, he batted .214/.340/.405 with one home run and three RBI. On November 18, Shenton was [[designated for assignment]] by the Rays.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rays Designate Austin Shenton For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/rays-designate-austin-shenton-for-assignment.html|access-date=November 19, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.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 (baseball)|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>{{Cite web|title=Rays pick Austin Shenton, trade for Ben Rortvedt to complete roster|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2024/03/27/austin-shenton-ben-rortvedt-burch-smith-niko-goodrum-naoyuki-uwasawa/|access-date=March 27, 2024|website=tampabay.com|language=en}}</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]] for cash considerations. Shenton took the roster spot formerly held by 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>

==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, Andreas'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 (baseball)|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==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Baseballstats|mlb=668853|espn=42875|br=s/shentau01|fangraphs=25425|brm=shento000aus}}
{{Baseballstats|mlb=668853|espn=42875|br=s/shentau01|fangraphs=25425|brm=shento000aus}}

* {{Instagram|id=austin_shenton}}
{{Seattle Mariners roster navbox}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Shenton, Austin}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shenton, Austin}}

Latest revision as of 07:09, 12 December 2024

Austin Shenton
Shenton with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024
Seattle Mariners
Third baseman
Born: (1998-01-22) January 22, 1998 (age 26)
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
MLB debut
March 31, 2024, for the Tampa Bay Rays
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.214
Home runs1
Runs batted in3
Teams

Austin P. Shenton (born January 22, 1998) is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024.

Career

[edit]

Amateur career

[edit]

Shenton attended Bellingham High School in Bellingham, Washington. He hit .472 with a .700 on-base percentage as a high school senior.[1] 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.[2]

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.[3][4] At Bellevue, he hit .395 with 7 home runs.[1] After going undrafted in 2017,[5] 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.[1]

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.[6][7]

Seattle Mariners

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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.[8][9] Shenton grew up rooting for the Mariners and dreaming he would play for the team.[10] 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.[11][7] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] Shenton spent the summer in Tacoma as part of Seattle's 60-man player pool.[13][14] Shenton started 2021 with Everett before being promoted to the Double–A Arkansas Travelers in mid-July.[15]

Tampa Bay Rays

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On July 29, 2021, the Mariners traded Shenton and reliever J.T. Chargois to the Tampa Bay Rays for reliever Diego Castillo.[16] 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.[17][18]

Shenton returned to Montgomery in 2022, but a hip injury ended his season on June 22.[19][20] He also started wearing corrective lens to address vision issues, including astigmatism.[19] 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.[21] He led the International League in total bases following his July promotion to Durham.[22]

Shenton was optioned to Durham before the start of the 2024 season.[23] However, following several players' injuries, Shenton was added to the Rays' Opening Day roster.[24] He made his major league debut on March 31 as a defensive replacement, hitting a flyout in his first at bat.[25][26][27] He got his first MLB hit and RBI on a groundball double off Dakota Hudson of the Colorado Rockies on April 7.[28][29] Shenton stayed on the Rays roster until May 14, when he was optioned to Durham.[30] 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.[31] In 19 games in his first season in the majors, 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.[7] On November 18, Shenton was designated for assignment by the Rays.[32]

Seattle Mariners (second stint)

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On November 19, 2024, Shenton was traded back to the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations. Shenton took the roster spot formerly held by Chargois, who was traded with Shenton to the Rays in 2021.[33][34]

Personal life

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Shenton was adopted by his aunt, Andrea Shenton, and uncle, Dana, when he was 5 years old, after spending two years in foster care.[19][4] He grew up with an older brother, Ian, Andreas'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.[8][19] Shenton's Mariners teammate George Kirby has also supported the organization.[35]

Shenton has no contact with his biological parents, and he has three other siblings. He is a member of the Chickasaw Nation.[19][4]

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.[4]

Shenton enjoys golf, using part of his draft signing bonus to buy new golf clubs.[8] He also played basketball and tennis in high school.[1] He was an all-conference tennis player his senior season.[36]

Shenton co-owns a baseball training facility in Bellingham.[36]

Shenton was a vegetarian and aspiring travel photographer, as of 2019.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Austin Shenton - 2019 - Baseball". FIU Athletics. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  2. ^ Smith, Lauren (June 11, 2016). "Indians select Shenton in MLB draft". Bellingham Herald. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  3. ^ Schrager, Daniel (April 16, 2024). "Former Bellingham High baseball star Austin Shenton talks about his new life in the majors". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e Villa, Walter (February 8, 2019). "His mother's health weighs heavily on him, but this Panthers player still perseveres". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019.
  5. ^ "MLB Draft Tracker 2017". MLB.com. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Goisman, Matt (August 14, 2018). "Wareham Gatemen ride 6–0 postseason to CCBL title". South Coast Today. Archived from the original on November 28, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "Austin Shenton Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Brock, Corey. "Mariners prospect Austin Shenton helps make more room in 'a place for friends'". The Athletic. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  9. ^ Shenton, Austin [@austin_shenton] (June 9, 2019). "Officially, official! Extremely grateful that the Seattle Mariners have given me this opportunity!" – via Instagram.
  10. ^ Trent, Eric (June 11, 2019). "Dream come true: Seattle Mariners draft, sign Bellingham grad". Lynden Tribune. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023.
  11. ^ Lang, Andrew (July 26, 2019). "Mariners draft pick, former AquaSox refuses to be ordinary". HeraldNet.com. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  12. ^ Adler, David (June 30, 2020). "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com.
  13. ^ Smith, Lauren (August 12, 2020). "Mariners prospect Austin Shenton makes history as latest to tame center field wall in Tacoma". Tacoma News Tribune. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  14. ^ Divish, Ryan (August 13, 2020). "Jose Canseco, Jay Buhner … Austin Shenton? Mariners prospect joins Cheney Stadium lore with 453-foot homer". Seattle Times.
  15. ^ Til, Cameron Van (July 17, 2021). "AquaSox slugger Shenton promoted to Double-A Arkansas". HeraldNet.com.
  16. ^ Divish, Ryan (July 29, 2021). "Mariners get reliever Diego Castillo from Rays in exchange for J.T. Chargois and Austin Shenton". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  17. ^ Topkin, Marc (August 20, 2021). "Austin Shenton Makes Quality Contact". Baseball America.
  18. ^ "Austin Shenton 2021 Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Game Logs & Splits". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  19. ^ a b c d e Topkin, Marc. "'Pretty crazy story' of Austin Shenton's journey to majors with Rays". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  20. ^ "Austin Shenton 2022 Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Game Logs & Splits". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  21. ^ "Austin Shenton 2023 Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Game Logs & Splits". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  22. ^ Cooper, J. J. (September 25, 2023). "Prospect Report: Austin Shenton Is a Sneaky Sleeper". Baseball America. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  23. ^ "Rays' Austin Shenton: Optioned to minors camp". CBS Sports. RotoWire. March 15, 2024.
  24. ^ "Rays pick Austin Shenton, trade for Ben Rortvedt to complete roster". tampabay.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  25. ^ "Austin Shenton flies out to left fielder Davis Schneider. | 03/31/2024". MLB.com. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  26. ^ "Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays Box Score: March 31, 2024". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  27. ^ Topkin, Marc (April 1, 2024). "1st Rays start meant even more to Austin Shenton with parents on hand". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  28. ^ "Austin Shenton hits an RBI double to left | 04/07/2024". MLB.com. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  29. ^ Topkin, Marc (April 8, 2024). "Rays' Austin Shenton has more to celebrate: first MLB hit, first RBI". Yahoo Sports. Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  30. ^ Topkin, Marc (May 14, 2024). "Jonathan Aranda activated by Rays, Austin Shenton optioned to Durham". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  31. ^ "Tampa Bay Rays Roster Moves: Austin Shenton, Alex Jackson and MORE!". The Report on Sports. September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  32. ^ McDonald, Darragh (November 18, 2024). "Rays Designate Austin Shenton For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  33. ^ Morgenstern, Leo (November 19, 2024). "Mariners Trade For Austin Shenton, DFA JT Chargois". MLB Trade Rumors.
  34. ^ Divish, Ryan (November 19, 2024). "Mariners bring back former prospect in trade with Rays". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  35. ^ Shenton, Austin [@austin_shenton] (April 7, 2023). "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" – via Instagram.
  36. ^ a b "AUSTIN SHENTON". One for One Training. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
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