Austin Shenton Stats & Scouting Report — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

AB	13
AVG	.231
OBP	.286
SLG	.385
HR	0

Full name Austin P. Shenton
Born 01/22/1998 in Spokane, WA
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Florida International
Drafted in the 5th round (156th overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2019 (signed for $336,600).

View Draft Report

After transferring from Bellevue (Wash.) JC to Florida International prior to the 2018 season, Shenton had a standout year in Conference USA, where he hit .344/.417/.524. After his breakout spring, Shenton went to the Cape Cod League, where he ranked as the No. 35 prospect in the league thanks to his feel for barreling the baseball from the left side. There, he hit .349/.450/.490 with four home runs in 44 games. This spring, however, Shenton changed his swing and got more pull-oriented, which led to increased swing-and-miss concerns as his previous strength was hitting the ball to all fields. Through the first two months of the season, Shenton hit just .230 (23-for-100) with 25 strikeouts and 16 walks. After hitting with wood in batting practice to re-tool his swing, Shenton started to get back on track during the second half of the season. In 25 games from April 3 to May 18, he hit .433 (42-for-97) with 13 strikeouts and 12 walks. Listed at 6 feet, 195-pounds, Shenton could grow into more power in the future, but is currently a hit-over-power lefthanded bat. He’s improved defensively this spring at third base, but scouts question his athleticism and believe that he may ultimately end up at first base. He has average arm strength, but it plays more as fringe-average arm strength in games due to a lack of foot speed and overall agility.'

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 40/Medium

Track Record: Shenton was in the middle of a breakout season for the Mariners’ Double-A Arkansas club when he was traded to the Rays in a July 2021 deal for reliever Diego Castillo. Shenton’s 2022 season was wrecked by a hip injury. He began 2023 with a third-straight assignment to the Double-A Southern League. He hit his way to Triple-A on July 14 and had the second-best OPS in the International League from that day until the end of the season.

Scouting Report: Shenton has plus productive power. He works counts until he gets a pitch to drive. He hit .304 in 2023. Still, evaluators generally see him as a .240-.250 hitter in the majors with solid on-base percentages. Strikeouts are going to be part of the tradeoff for his power. Despite his offensive upside, defensive limitations will make it harder for him to become a regular. Shenton is a slower-twitch athlete, a well below-average runner and somewhat stiff fielder with below-average range at third and first base. He sometimes struggles with accuracy issues at third base, especially on throws to second, and his arm strength simply isn’t adequate for the position. His 74.1 mph average velocity on throws at third in Triple-A was worse than any MLB regular third baseman in 2023. At first base he’s below-average.

The Future: Shenton’s power is real and gives him a shot to carve out a big league role. Even after his addition to the 40-man roster, he’s more likely to find a backup or fill-in role.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Field: 40 | Arm: 30
Track Record: Shenton has always hit. He hit well over .300 as a freshman at Bellevue (Wash.) JC, in two years at Florida International and in the Cape Cod League. In pro ball, he’s hit .295 and .298 in his two seasons. The Rays picked him up along with righthander JT Chargois in a July trade that sent righthander Diego Castillo to Seattle.

Scouting Report: Shenton’s path to the big leagues is based on his feel for the strike zone and his ability to drive the ball when he gets a pitch he likes. Shenton’s hands work well, giving him excellent barrel control and the ability to use the whole field. He’s also a pest to pitchers because he’s a master of the good take, which leads to excellent on-base percentages. He projects as a plus hitter with average power. Shenton is a below-average defender at third, thanks to poor footwork and some stiffness, but there is the hope that he could improve to be playable there. He does have an average arm. He also should be fine at first and runs just well enough (he’s a 40 runner) to make left and right field a sporadic option.

The Future: It will take some creativity to figure out how to get Shenton MLB at-bats because of his defensive limitations, but he hits enough to be worth the effort.
TRACK RECORD: After hitting .337 in his career at Florida International, Shenton made it to low Class A shortly after being drafted and asserted himself as one of the more advanced hitters in the Seattle organization. He got plenty of at-bats at the alternate training site in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Shenton is an advanced hitter with emerging power. His advanced pitch recognition allows him to control the strike zone and consistently barrel balls to all fields. He showed more pull-side power at the alternate site and should have average pop with more experience. While there are few questions about his bat, where Shenton plays defensively is still to be determined. He's not particularly athletic and is a below-average defender at third base with an average arm. Shenton is a hard worker and has outstanding makeup, so it's not out of the question that he can continue to improve his defense enough to be adequate. His most likely role will have him moving around the infield and outfield corners.

THE FUTURE: Shenton will get plenty of chances to prove his bat can make up for his defensive shortcomings. He has a chance to see the upper levels of the minors in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: After taking five pitchers to begin the 2019 draft, the Mariners went for a proven pure hitter in Shenton, who spent the last two years of his college career at Florida International after a freshman season at Bellevue (Wash.) CC. He split his first pro season between short-season Everett, ranking as the Northwest League's 16th best prospect, and low Class A West Virginia.

SCOUTING REPORT: Shenton has real feel for hitting, consistently barreling balls and controlling the strike zone with advanced pitch recognition. He uses the whole field, showing average power mostly to the gaps but also with some pull-side home run pop. There are plenty of questions about where Shenton winds up defensively, as he's not particulary athletic but is a hard worker with a chance to stay at third base. He's a below-average defender with an average arm, but he could provide defensive versatility by also spending time at both left field and first base. Shenton is a below-average runner, but it's all about the bat for him.

THE FUTURE: With a quarter of a season in low Class A already under his belt, Shenton could head to high Class A Modesto to start the 2020 season.

Draft Prospects

After transferring from Bellevue (Wash.) JC to Florida International prior to the 2018 season, Shenton had a standout year in Conference USA, where he hit .344/.417/.524. After his breakout spring, Shenton went to the Cape Cod League, where he ranked as the No. 35 prospect in the league thanks to his feel for barreling the baseball from the left side. There, he hit .349/.450/.490 with four home runs in 44 games. This spring, however, Shenton changed his swing and got more pull-oriented, which led to increased swing-and-miss concerns as his previous strength was hitting the ball to all fields. Through the first two months of the season, Shenton hit just .230 (23-for-100) with 25 strikeouts and 16 walks. After hitting with wood in batting practice to re-tool his swing, Shenton started to get back on track during the second half of the season. In 25 games from April 3 to May 18, he hit .433 (42-for-97) with 13 strikeouts and 12 walks. Listed at 6 feet, 195-pounds, Shenton could grow into more power in the future, but is currently a hit-over-power lefthanded bat. He's improved defensively this spring at third base, but scouts question his athleticism and believe that he may ultimately end up at first base. He has average arm strength, but it plays more as fringe-average arm strength in games due to a lack of foot speed and overall agility.'
Shenton is expected to add to Washington's strong recruitng class, as an ankle injury hobbled him this spring. He frequently was pitched around on a sub-par high school team and wasn't able to prove to scouts that he could play third base. Most pro scouts think he runs well enough and has enough footwork issues to shift him from third base to left field. It's all about the bat with Shenton, who has natural rhythm and hitting instincts and solid raw power.

Minor League Top Prospects

Shenton started his college career at Bellevue (Wash.) JC before transferring to Florida International for his sophomore and junior seasons. He produced a .939 OPS over two seasons, as well as a stellar season in the Cape Cod League in 2018. He has a keen ability to recognize pitches and a strong understanding of the strike zone, which has helped him produce everywhere he’s played. Scouts assess him as having average power, which showed up as doubles to all fields and pull-side home runs between Everett and low Class A West Virginia in his first experience as a pro. With the bat as his established strength, the next step will be finding a defensive home. He played third base at FIU and as a pro, but scouts who saw him believe he’s more likely to shift either to a corner outfield spot or first base. If he continues to hit, however, the Mariners will find a spot for him somewhere on the diamond.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Seattle Mariners in 2020

Scouting Reports

BA Grade: 45/Medium

Track Record: Shenton has always hit. He hit well over .300 as a freshman at Bellevue (Wash.) JC, in two years at Florida International and in the Cape Cod League. In pro ball, he&#39s hit .295 and .298 in his two seasons. The Rays picked him up along with righthander JT Chargois in a July trade that sent righthander Diego Castillo to Seattle.

Scouting Report: Shenton&#39s path to the big leagues is based on his feel for the strike zone and his ability to drive the ball when he gets a pitch he likes. Shenton&#39s hands work well, giving him excellent barrel control and the ability to use the whole field. He&#39s also a pest to pitchers because he&#39s a master of the good take, which leads to excellent on-base percentages. He projects as a plus hitter with average power. Shenton is a below-average defender at third, thanks to poor footwork and some stiffness, but there is the hope that he could improve to be playable there. He does have an average arm. He also should be fine at first and runs just well enough (he&#39s a 40 runner) to make left and right field a sporadic option.

The Future: It will take some creativity to figure out how to get Shenton MLB at-bats because of his defensive limitations, but he hits enough to be worth the effort.
Track Record: Shenton has always hit. He hit well over .300 as a freshman at Bellevue (Wash.) JC, in two years at Florida International and in the Cape Cod League. In pro ball, he’s hit .295 and .298 in his two seasons. The Rays picked him up along with righthander JT Chargois in a July trade that sent righthander Diego Castillo to Seattle.

Scouting Report: Shenton’s path to the big leagues is based on his feel for the strike zone and his ability to drive the ball when he gets a pitch he likes. Shenton’s hands work well, giving him excellent barrel control and the ability to use the whole field. He’s also a pest to pitchers because he’s a master of the good take, which leads to excellent on-base percentages. He projects as a plus hitter with average power. Shenton is a below-average defender at third, thanks to poor footwork and some stiffness, but there is the hope that he could improve to be playable there. He does have an average arm. He also should be fine at first and runs just well enough (he’s a 40 runner) to make left and right field a sporadic option.

The Future: It will take some creativity to figure out how to get Shenton MLB at-bats because of his defensive limitations, but he hits enough to be worth the effort.
TRACK RECORD: After hitting .337 in his career at Florida International, Shenton made it to low Class A shortly after being drafted and asserted himself as one of the more advanced hitters in the Seattle organization. He got plenty of at-bats at the alternate training site in 2020, and was in the midst of a strong start to the 2021 season before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in a deal involved reliever Diego Castillo.

SCOUTING REPORT: Shenton is an advanced hitter with emerging power. His advanced pitch recognition allows him to control the strike zone and consistently barrel balls to all fields. He showed more pull-side power at the alternate site and should have average pop with more experience. While there are few questions about his bat, where Shenton plays defensively is still to be determined. He's not particularly athletic and is a below-average defender at third base with an average arm. Shenton is a hard worker and has outstanding makeup, so it's not out of the question that he can continue to improve his defense enough to be adequate. His most likely role will have him moving around the infield and outfield corners.

THE FUTURE: Shenton will get plenty of chances to prove his bat can make up for his defensive shortcomings. He has a chance to see the upper levels of the minors in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: After hitting .337 in his career at Florida International, Shenton made it to low Class A shortly after being drafted and asserted himself as one of the more advanced hitters in the Seattle organization. He got plenty of at-bats at the alternate training site in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Shenton is an advanced hitter with emerging power. His advanced pitch recognition allows him to control the strike zone and consistently barrel balls to all fields. He showed more pull-side power at the alternate site and should have average pop with more experience. While there are few questions about his bat, where Shenton plays defensively is still to be determined. He's not particularly athletic and is a below-average defender at third base with an average arm. Shenton is a hard worker and has outstanding makeup, so it's not out of the question that he can continue to improve his defense enough to be adequate. His most likely role will have him moving around the infield and outfield corners.

THE FUTURE: Shenton will get plenty of chances to prove his bat can make up for his defensive shortcomings. He has a chance to see the upper levels of the minors in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: After hitting .337 in his career at Florida International, Shenton made it to low Class A shortly after being drafted and asserted himself as one of the more advanced hitters in the Seattle organization. He got plenty of at-bats at the alternate training site in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Shenton is an advanced hitter with emerging power. His advanced pitch recognition allows him to control the strike zone and consistently barrel balls to all fields. He showed more pull-side power at the alternate site and should have average pop with more experience. While there are few questions about his bat, where Shenton plays defensively is still to be determined. He's not particularly athletic and is a below-average defender at third base with an average arm. Shenton is a hard worker and has outstanding makeup, so it's not out of the question that he can continue to improve his defense enough to be adequate. His most likely role will have him moving around the infield and outfield corners.

THE FUTURE: Shenton will get plenty of chances to prove his bat can make up for his defensive shortcomings. He has a chance to see the upper levels of the minors in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: After taking five pitchers to begin the 2019 draft, the Mariners went for a proven pure hitter in Shenton, who spent the last two years of his college career at Florida International after a freshman season at Bellevue (Wash.) CC. He split his first pro season between short-season Everett, ranking as the Northwest League’s 16th best prospect, and low Class A West Virginia.

SCOUTING REPORT: Shenton has real feel for hitting, consistently barreling balls and controlling the strike zone with advanced pitch recognition. He uses the whole field, showing average power mostly to the gaps but also with some pull-side home run pop. There are plenty of questions about where Shenton winds up defensively, as he’s not particulary athletic but is a hard worker with a chance to stay at third base. He’s a below-average defender with an average arm, but he could provide defensive versatility by also spending time at both left field and first base. Shenton is a below-average runner, but it’s all about the bat for him.

THE FUTURE: With a quarter of a season in low Class A already under his belt, Shenton could head to high Class A Modesto to start the 2020 season.
TRACK RECORD: After taking five pitchers to begin the 2019 draft, the Mariners went for a proven pure hitter in Shenton, who spent the last two years of his college career at Florida International after a freshman season at Bellevue (Wash.) CC. He split his first pro season between short-season Everett, ranking as the Northwest League's 16th best prospect, and low Class A West Virginia.

SCOUTING REPORT: Shenton has real feel for hitting, consistently barreling balls and controlling the strike zone with advanced pitch recognition. He uses the whole field, showing average power mostly to the gaps but also with some pull-side home run pop. There are plenty of questions about where Shenton winds up defensively, as he's not particulary athletic but is a hard worker with a chance to stay at third base. He's a below-average defender with an average arm, but he could provide defensive versatility by also spending time at both left field and first base. Shenton is a below-average runner, but it's all about the bat for him.

THE FUTURE: With a quarter of a season in low Class A already under his belt, Shenton could head to high Class A Modesto to start the 2020 season.
After transferring from Bellevue (Wash.) JC to Florida International prior to the 2018 season, Shenton had a standout year in Conference USA, where he hit .344/.417/.524. After his breakout spring, Shenton went to the Cape Cod League, where he ranked as the No. 35 prospect in the league thanks to his feel for barreling the baseball from the left side. There, he hit .349/.450/.490 with four home runs in 44 games. This spring, however, Shenton changed his swing and got more pull-oriented, which led to increased swing-and-miss concerns as his previous strength was hitting the ball to all fields. Through the first two months of the season, Shenton hit just .230 (23-for-100) with 25 strikeouts and 16 walks. After hitting with wood in batting practice to re-tool his swing, Shenton started to get back on track during the second half of the season. In 25 games from April 3 to May 18, he hit .433 (42-for-97) with 13 strikeouts and 12 walks. Listed at 6 feet, 195-pounds, Shenton could grow into more power in the future, but is currently a hit-over-power lefthanded bat. He's improved defensively this spring at third base, but scouts question his athleticism and believe that he may ultimately end up at first base. He has average arm strength, but it plays more as fringe-average arm strength in games due to a lack of foot speed and overall agility.'
Shenton started his college career at Bellevue (Wash.) JC before transferring to Florida International for his sophomore and junior seasons. He produced a .939 OPS over two seasons, as well as a stellar season in the Cape Cod League in 2018. He has a keen ability to recognize pitches and a strong understanding of the strike zone, which has helped him produce everywhere he’s played. Scouts assess him as having average power, which showed up as doubles to all fields and pull-side home runs between Everett and low Class A West Virginia in his first experience as a pro. With the bat as his established strength, the next step will be finding a defensive home. He played third base at FIU and as a pro, but scouts who saw him believe he’s more likely to shift either to a corner outfield spot or first base. If he continues to hit, however, the Mariners will find a spot for him somewhere on the diamond.