Prospect Report: Austin Shenton Is a Sneaky Sleeper

Image credit: Austin Shenton (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Austin Shenton, DH, Rays: Shenton was an intriguing power prospect when the Rays acquired him from the Mariners in 2021. But injuries ruined his 2022 season and seemed to derail his path to the majors. A year, later, Shenton is now a very sneaky sleeper to keep an eye on. From the day he was promoted to the International League (July 14) until the end of the season, he led the IL in total bases, hitting .301/.432/.603. He homered on Sunday, giving him 29 home runs overall this year, and he finished by hitting .323/.506/.554 in September.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 3B, Reds: Encarnacion-Strand hit his 11th home run in 58 MLB games. Encarnacion-Strand has continued his free-swinging ways in the majors, but it’s working. He’s hitting .279/.335/.478 with the Reds.

Luken Baker, 1B, Cardinals: Speaking of sluggers, Baker hit 33 home runs for Triple-A Memphis this year and was on track to lead the minors in home runs, but a callup to the majors derailed his chances of winning the Joe Bauman Award. Of course, he’s not complaining. He hit his second big league home run in his 27th MLB game.

Player	Team	Org	LVL	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	Notes
Barrosa, Jorge	Reno Aces	ARI	AAA	3	1	1	1	1	0	.274	.394	.456	2B, SB
English, Tristin	Reno Aces	ARI	AAA	4	0	1	0	0	2	.293	.380	.514	2B
Lawlar, Jordan	Arizona Diamondbacks	ARI	MLB	3	0	0	0	1	0	.130	.231	.130	CS
Baldwin, Drake	Gwinnett Stripers	ATL	AAA	5	1	1	1	0	1	.333	.333	.583
Shewmake, Braden	Gwinnett Stripers	ATL	AAA	4	0	2	1	0	0	.234	.298	.407	2B
Cowser, Colton	Norfolk Tides	BAL	AAA	1	0	0	0	0	0	.300	.417	.520
Holliday, Jackson	Norfolk Tides	BAL	AAA	4	1	1	1	2	1	.267	.396	.400
Mayo, Coby	Norfolk Tides	BAL	AAA	3	2	1	1	3	0	.267	.393	.512	2B
Norby, Connor	Norfolk Tides	BAL	AAA	3	0	0	1	1	1	.290	.359	.483
Stowers, Kyle	Norfolk Tides	BAL	AAA	5	0	1	0	1	3	.245	.364	.511
Kjerstad, Heston	Baltimore Orioles	BAL	MLB	1	1	0	0	1	1	.227	.261	.500
Westburg, Jordan	Baltimore Orioles	BAL	MLB	4	1	1	1	0	2	.260	.312	.408	2B
Abreu, Wilyer	Boston Red Sox	BOS	MLB	3	1	1	1	0	0	.362	.431	.552	HR
Rafaela, Ceddanne	Boston Red Sox	BOS	MLB	3	0	1	0	0	0	.294	.329	.471
Valdez, Enmanuel	Boston Red Sox	BOS	MLB	2	0	1	0	0	0	.258	.303	.435	2B
Davis, Brennen	Iowa Cubs	CHC	AAA	4	0	0	0	0	2	.187	.296	.279
Hill, Darius	Iowa Cubs	CHC	AAA	4	0	0	0	0	0	.272	.343	.377
Mervis, Matt	Iowa Cubs	CHC	AAA	3	0	0	1	0	0	.282	.399	.533
Perlaza, Yonathan	Iowa Cubs	CHC	AAA	4	2	2	0	1	1	.284	.389	.534	CS
Perlaza, Yonathan	Iowa Cubs	CHC	AAA	3	1	0	0	1	1	.284	.389	.534
Vazquez, Luis	Iowa Cubs	CHC	AAA	4	1	2	0	0	1	.257	.381	.428	2B
Vazquez, Luis	Iowa Cubs	CHC	AAA	3	0	0	0	0	1	.257	.381	.428
Canario, Alexander	Chicago Cubs	CHC	MLB	2	0	0	0	0	1	.250	.250	.750
Crow-Armstrong, Pete	Chicago Cubs	CHC	MLB	1	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.154	.000
Lee, Korey	Chicago White Sox	CHW	MLB	1	1	0	0	1	0	.071	.148	.143
Sosa, Lenyn	Chicago White Sox	CHW	MLB	3	0	0	0	0	1	.187	.201	.320
Hopkins, TJ	Louisville Bats	CIN	AAA	4	0	1	0	0	3	.308	.411	.514
Hopkins, TJ	Louisville Bats	CIN	AAA	3	1	0	0	1	3	.308	.411	.514	SB
Encarnacion-Strand, Christian	Cincinnati Reds	CIN	MLB	3	1	1	1	1	0	.279	.335	.478	HR
Brito, Juan	Columbus Clippers	CLE	AAA	2	0	0	0	2	0	.214	.450	.286	SB
Manzardo, Kyle	Columbus Clippers	CLE	AAA	3	0	0	0	1	0	.256	.348	.590
Martinez, Angel	Columbus Clippers	CLE	AAA	4	0	0	0	0	2	.268	.320	.401
Rocchio, Brayan	Columbus Clippers	CLE	AAA	4	1	1	2	0	1	.280	.367	.421	HR
Tena, Jose	Cleveland Guardians	CLE	MLB	2	0	0	0	0	0	.192	.250	.269
Carreras, Julio	Albuquerque Isotopes	COL	AAA	2	0	0	0	2	1	.255	.371	.373
Schunk, Aaron	Albuquerque Isotopes	COL	AAA	3	0	0	0	0	0	.290	.350	.461
Goodman, Hunter	Colorado Rockies	COL	MLB	3	0	0	0	0	2	.212	.260	.409
Bigbie, Justice	Toledo Mud Hens	DET	AAA	4	0	1	0	0	0	.275	.345	.392
Dingler, Dillon	Toledo Mud Hens	DET	AAA	4	0	1	0	0	1	.202	.266	.384	2B
Keith, Colt	Toledo Mud Hens	DET	AAA	5	1	1	0	0	2	.287	.369	.521	2B
Kreidler, Ryan	Toledo Mud Hens	DET	AAA	4	0	1	1	0	0	.239	.349	.460
Leonard, Eddys	Toledo Mud Hens	DET	AAA	4	1	1	2	0	1	.302	.374	.530	HR
Malloy, Justyn-Henry	Toledo Mud Hens	DET	AAA	4	0	0	0	0	3	.277	.417	.474
Meadows, Parker	Detroit Tigers	DET	MLB	4	1	2	0	0	1	.212	.325	.333	2B
Leon, Pedro	Sugar Land Space Cowboys	HOU	AAA	5	0	0	0	0	3	.244	.343	.435
Loperfido, Joey	Sugar Land Space Cowboys	HOU	AAA	4	1	1	0	0	3	.235	.333	.403
Wagner, Will	Sugar Land Space Cowboys	HOU	AAA	5	0	3	1	0	0	.577	.607	.692
Whitcomb, Shay	Sugar Land Space Cowboys	HOU	AAA	4	0	0	0	1	2	.224	.281	.434
Gentry, Tyler	Omaha Storm Chasers	KCR	AAA	4	1	0	0	0	0	.253	.370	.421
Mann, Devin	Omaha Storm Chasers	KCR	AAA	3	1	1	0	1	1	.198	.354	.405	2B
Taylor, Samad	Omaha Storm Chasers	KCR	AAA	2	0	1	0	0	1	.301	.418	.466
Loftin, Nick	Kansas City Royals	KCR	MLB	4	1	1	0	0	0	.354	.407	.500
Adams, Jordyn	Salt Lake Bees	LAA	AAA	3	1	0	0	2	1	.267	.351	.465	SB
Martinez, Orlando	Salt Lake Bees	LAA	AAA	3	1	0	0	1	2	.245	.307	.374
Soto, Livan	Salt Lake Bees	LAA	AAA	2	2	1	1	2	0	.248	.347	.389	HR
O’Hoppe, Logan	Los Angeles Angels	LAA	MLB	4	0	1	0	0	2	.221	.269	.472
Stefanic, Michael	Los Angeles Angels	LAA	MLB	3	0	1	0	1	1	.267	.377	.311
Busch, Michael	Oklahoma City Dodgers	LAD	AAA	3	1	1	1	0	1	.323	.431	.618	HR
DeLuca, Jonny	Oklahoma City Dodgers	LAD	AAA	3	0	1	0	1	0	.306	.397	.548
Vivas, Jorbit	Oklahoma City Dodgers	LAD	AAA	4	0	0	0	0	2	.225	.339	.294
Amaya, Jacob	Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp	MIA	AAA	4	0	0	0	1	1	.252	.345	.407
Burdick, Peyton	Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp	MIA	AAA	3	1	1	0	1	2	.219	.327	.448
Myers, Dane	Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp	MIA	AAA	3	1	0	0	1	2	.339	.417	.516
Edwards, Xavier	Miami Marlins	MIA	MLB	4	0	3	0	0	0	.303	.333	.348	2 SB
Black, Tyler	Nashville Sounds	MIL	AAA	4	0	2	0	0	0	.310	.428	.514	2B
Chourio, Jackson	Nashville Sounds	MIL	AAA	2	0	1	0	0	0	.333	.375	.476	2B
Mitchell, Garrett	Nashville Sounds	MIL	AAA	5	1	2	0	0	0	.188	.257	.250
Frelick, Sal	Milwaukee Brewers	MIL	MLB	4	0	0	0	0	0	.263	.357	.374
Helman, Michael	St. Paul Saints	MIN	AAA	3	1	1	0	0	1	.296	.356	.546
Keirsey, DaShawn	St. Paul Saints	MIN	AAA	1	0	0	0	0	1	.264	.375	.364
Lee, Brooks	St. Paul Saints	MIN	AAA	3	0	0	0	0	0	.237	.304	.428
Martin, Austin	St. Paul Saints	MIN	AAA	3	0	0	0	0	0	.263	.386	.405
Severino, Yunior	St. Paul Saints	MIN	AAA	4	0	0	0	0	4	.233	.320	.511
Mauricio, Ronny	New York Mets	NYM	MLB	4	1	1	2	0	3	.260	.305	.377	HR
Vientos, Mark	New York Mets	NYM	MLB	3	0	0	0	0	2	.219	.257	.373
Florial, Estevan	New York Yankees	NYY	MLB	4	0	1	0	0	1	.231	.348	.359	3B
Peraza, Oswald	New York Yankees	NYY	MLB	4	0	0	0	0	1	.199	.275	.265
Wells, Austin	New York Yankees	NYY	MLB	3	0	0	0	1	0	.160	.204	.300
Davidson, Logan	Las Vegas Aviators	OAK	AAA	4	0	1	1	0	1	.264	.333	.375
Hernaiz, Darell	Las Vegas Aviators	OAK	AAA	2	1	2	0	1	0	.300	.376	.418
Kennedy, Buddy	Las Vegas Aviators	OAK	AAA	5	0	1	1	0	1	.216	.326	.216
Butler, Lawrence	Oakland Athletics	OAK	MLB	2	0	0	0	1	0	.212	.245	.346
Gelof, Zack	Oakland Athletics	OAK	MLB	3	0	0	0	1	1	.273	.344	.522	SB
Soderstrom, Tyler	Oakland Athletics	OAK	MLB	1	0	0	0	0	0	.168	.240	.257
Gonzales, Nick	Indianapolis Indians	PIT	AAA	4	1	1	1	0	1	.281	.379	.507	2B
Gorski, Matt	Indianapolis Indians	PIT	AAA	4	0	0	0	0	3	.190	.262	.414
Peguero, Liover	Pittsburgh Pirates	PIT	MLB	3	0	0	0	0	1	.233	.276	.372
Triolo, Jared	Pittsburgh Pirates	PIT	MLB	3	0	2	0	1	1	.297	.385	.392	2B
Ornelas, Tirso	El Paso Chihuahuas	SDP	AAA	5	0	1	0	0	2	.285	.358	.425
Rosario, Eguy	San Diego Padres	SDP	MLB	5	1	2	2	0	0	.250	.250	.531	3B, 2B
Bliss, Ryan	Tacoma Rainiers	SEA	AAA	3	2	2	2	1	0	.251	.356	.466	HR, 2B
DeLoach, Zach	Tacoma Rainiers	SEA	AAA	2	0	0	0	0	0	.286	.387	.481
Marlowe, Cade	Tacoma Rainiers	SEA	AAA	3	0	0	0	1	2	.257	.338	.443
Canzone, Dominic	Seattle Mariners	SEA	MLB	2	0	0	0	0	0	.219	.254	.422
Meckler, Wade	Sacramento River Cats	SFG	AAA	4	1	3	0	1	1	.354	.465	.500	SB
Luciano, Marco	San Francisco Giants	SFG	MLB	4	0	1	0	0	3	.320	.370	.400
Koperniak, Matt	Memphis Redbirds	STL	AAA	4	0	0	0	0	1	.275	.353	.431
Prieto, Cesar	Memphis Redbirds	STL	AAA	3	1	1	2	1	0	.270	.314	.387	HR
Saggese, Thomas	Memphis Redbirds	STL	AAA	3	1	0	0	0	1	.207	.270	.345
Baker, Luken	St. Louis Cardinals	STL	MLB	3	1	1	2	1	0	.217	.289	.319	HR
Herrera, Ivan	St. Louis Cardinals	STL	MLB	4	0	0	0	0	0	.267	.371	.300
Siani, Michael	St. Louis Cardinals	STL	MLB	2	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000
Winn, Masyn	St. Louis Cardinals	STL	MLB	2	0	0	0	1	1	.175	.232	.252
Basabe, Osleivis	Tampa Bay Rays	TBR	MLB	3	0	1	0	0	1	.220	.281	.317
Caminero, Junior	Tampa Bay Rays	TBR	MLB	5	0	1	1	0	2	.222	.300	.222
Mead, Curtis	Tampa Bay Rays	TBR	MLB	4	1	1	0	1	1	.273	.351	.394
Pinto, Rene	Tampa Bay Rays	TBR	MLB	4	0	1	0	0	2	.242	.258	.429
Foscue, Justin	Round Rock Express	TEX	AAA	5	1	1	2	0	0	.266	.394	.468	2B
Harris, Dustin	Round Rock Express	TEX	AAA	4	2	2	3	0	0	.273	.382	.455	HR
Ornelas, Jonathan	Round Rock Express	TEX	AAA	3	1	0	0	1	2	.253	.368	.359
Carter, Evan	Texas Rangers	TEX	MLB	4	1	1	2	0	3	.318	.426	.705	HR
Barger, Addison	Buffalo Bisons	TOR	AAA	3	0	0	2	0	2	.250	.353	.403
Ferrer, Jose	Buffalo Bisons	TOR	AAA	3	2	1	0	1	2	.286	.375	.286
Jimenez, Leo	Buffalo Bisons	TOR	AAA	4	3	1	0	1	0	.190	.338	.238	2B
Martinez, Orelvis	Buffalo Bisons	TOR	AAA	5	0	0	0	0	2	.263	.340	.507
Palmegiani, Damiano	Buffalo Bisons	TOR	AAA	5	0	0	0	0	2	.284	.427	.554
Baker, Darren	Rochester Red Wings	WAS	AAA	4	0	1	0	0	1	.273	.338	.340	CS
Alu, Jake	Washington Nationals	WAS	MLB	2	0	0	0	1	1	.231	.286	.279
Alu, Jake	Washington Nationals	WAS	MLB	4	2	2	0	0	0	.231	.286	.279	2B
Millas, Drew	Washington Nationals	WAS	MLB	3	0	1	0	0	1	.308	.357	.500	2B
Young, Jacob	Washington Nationals	WAS	MLB	4	0	0	0	0	1	.247	.323	.348
Young, Jacob	Washington Nationals	WAS	MLB	2	0	2	2	0	0	.247	.323	.348	2B

Player	Name	Org	LVL	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	ERA	Result
Martinez, Justin	Reno Aces	ARI	AAA	0.2	0	0	0	0	1	2	4.20
Hernandez, Daysbel	Gwinnett Stripers	ATL	AAA	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	1	1.69
Shuster, Jared	Gwinnett Stripers	ATL	AAA	3	5	3	1	1	4	5	5.01
Winans, Allan	Atlanta Braves	ATL	MLB	5.0	7	2	2	0	2	6	4.33	L
Armbruester, Justin	Norfolk Tides	BAL	AAA	1.1	2	3	3	0	3	2	4.70
Hall, DL	Baltimore Orioles	BAL	MLB	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3.78
Murphy, Chris	Boston Red Sox	BOS	MLB	0.2	0	0	0	0	0	0	4.66
Palencia, Daniel	Chicago Cubs	CHC	MLB	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	4.50
Wicks, Jordan	Chicago Cubs	CHC	MLB	6.0	4	3	3	2	1	3	3.00	W
Nastrini, Nick	Charlotte Knights	CHW	AAA	5.0	0	0	0	0	0	3	4.12	W
Richardson, Lyon	Louisville Bats	CIN	AAA	3.0	0	0	0	0	2	5	9.42
Gaddis, Hunter	Columbus Clippers	CLE	AAA	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6.05
Morris, Cody	Columbus Clippers	CLE	AAA	1	0	0	0	0	1	3	3.74
Hollowell, Gavin	Colorado Rockies	COL	MLB	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	5.34
Montero, Keider	Toledo Mud Hens	DET	AAA	5.0	2	2	2	1	1	4	4.93	W
White, Brendan	Toledo Mud Hens	DET	AAA	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4.14
Chamberlain, Christian	Omaha Storm Chasers	KCR	AAA	2.0	0	0	0	0	3	2	8.51
Marsh, Alec	Kansas City Royals	KCR	MLB	5.1	3	4	3	1	2	6	5.66	W
Caceres, Kelvin	Salt Lake Bees	LAA	AAA	1.1	0	0	0	0	1	2	0.90	S
Headrick, Brent	St. Paul Saints	MIN	AAA	2	1	0	0	0	2	2	4.68
Sands, Cole	St. Paul Saints	MIN	AAA	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1.47
Beeter, Clayton	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders	NYY	AAA	5	1	0	0	0	4	7	4.94	W
Harris, Hogan	Las Vegas Aviators	OAK	AAA	2.0	1	1	1	0	1	4	6.47
Sweet, Devin	Las Vegas Aviators	OAK	AAA	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	1	13.50
Kerkering, Orion	Philadelphia Phillies	PHI	MLB	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0.00
Priester, Quinn	Pittsburgh Pirates	PIT	MLB	6.0	2	2	2	1	5	4	7.86
Reynolds, Sean	El Paso Chihuahuas	SDP	AAA	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	2	13.50
Hansen, Pete	Memphis Redbirds	STL	AAA	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Kloffenstein, Adam	Memphis Redbirds	STL	AAA	5.0	4	3	3	1	1	3	3.00	L
Rom, Drew	St. Louis Cardinals	STL	MLB	3.1	11	8	6	1	1	4	7.98	L
Montgomery, Mason	Durham Bulls	TBR	AAA	0.2	3	3	3	0	2	2	2.70
Church, Marc	Round Rock Express	TEX	AAA	1.2	1	0	0	0	2	0	3.48	W
Kent, Zak	Round Rock Express	TEX	AAA	4.1	5	5	5	2	1	2	3.97
Zulueta, Yosver	Buffalo Bisons	TOR	AAA	2.0	1	1	1	0	1	1	4.08
Parker, Mitchell	Rochester Red Wings	WAS	AAA	4.0	4	0	0	0	0	8	10.45
Rutledge, Jackson	Washington Nationals	WAS	MLB	5.0	3	1	1	0	2	4	6.00	W