Austin Shenton

Austin Shenton, an infielder for the Seattle Mariners, has made a notable entry into Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on January 22, 1998, in Spokane, Washington, Shenton developed his skills at Bellingham High School before advancing to Florida International University for his college career. His journey to professional baseball began in earnest when he was selected by the Mariners in the 5th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Shenton made his MLB debut on March 31, 2024, marking the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 205 pounds, Shenton bats left-handed and throws right-handed, a combination that adds versatility and depth to the Mariners' infield options. Primarily playing as a first baseman, he has demonstrated defensive reliability alongside his contributions at the plate. During his rookie season, Shenton showcased his potential across various metrics. He featured in 19 games, starting 11, and finished with a batting average of .214. His discipline at the plate was evident from his .340 on-base percentage, bolstered by 8 walks. Shenton's power was on display with a total of 6 extra-base hits, including 1 home run, contributing to a .405 slugging percentage. Defensively, he recorded a perfect fielding percentage over 10 games at first base, handling all his chances without an error. Shenton's performance also stood out in the preseason games, indicating his readiness and adaptability to the major league environment. His batting average and on-base percentage during these exhibitions underscored his ability to get on base and generate offense, key attributes for the Mariners moving forward. Austin Shenton's early life and background in Spokane and Bellingham laid the foundation for his baseball career, which took a significant step forward with his MLB debut in 2024. As he continues to develop and refine his skills, the Seattle Mariners can look forward to his contributions both defensively and at the plate.