Draysbay Community Prospect Review: #12 Austin Shenton

Over the offseason, the Draybay community takes part in an exercise in which we compile a list of 30 prospects in the Rays system based on popular vote.

Now that the 2024 season has concluded, we can look back at these rankings and see how each individual player performed.

Reminder, this is a review of the prospects ranked heading into the 2024 season. This is not an updated ranking. Draysbay will begin the voting for the 2025 community top prospects later this offseason.

We have already covered the following:

#30. Erick Lara . #29. Kenny Piper #28. Tanner Murray #27. Jacob Lopez #26. Marcus Johnson #25. Cole Wilcox #24. Dru Baker #23. Trevor Martin #22. Joe Rock #21. Ian Seymour #20. Tre' Morgan #19. Brailer Guerrero #18. Jose Urbina #17. Mason Auer #16. Adrian Santana #15. Chandler Simpson #14. Osleivis Basabe #13. Mason Montgomery We resume the reviews at #12.

Before the Season 26 | BT: L/R | 6' 0" | 195

AA | .307/.415/.567 (.982 OPS, 157 wRC+) 306 PA, 15 HR, 0 SB

AAA | .301/.432/.603 (1.035 OPS, 158 wRC+) 271 PA, 14 HR, 0 SB

Acquired for Diego Castillo mid-2021 amidst a breakout 144 wRC+ performance in Double-A, Shenton's bat when missing in action after his arrival to the Rays system for the rest of that season and for all of 2022 due to a hip injury that limited him to 52 games, but it came back with a vengeance in 2023. He has the look of a major league regular in a DH role if the hit tool proves true. Added to the 40-man roster this offseason, expect to see the the Rays test his left handed power stroke at the major league level in 2024.

How it Went Entering Spring Training this past Spring, no one expected Austin Shenton make the Rays Opening Day roster. However, the Rays were battered with injuries and Austin Shenton emerged as the best option for a left-handed hitting bat off the Rays bench. Despite making the Opening Day roster, Shenton seldom seen game action and would be optioned to Triple-A Durham by the end of April. Shenton returned when rosters expanded in September, but again seldom seen playing time. During his time in Durham, Shenton showcased his offensive capabilities.