I think JD missed out on bringing back a former Mariner in the last few days
A few of us here were high on this former up & coming minor league 1B/3B, left-handed hitter.
He's got some pop, just turned 26 (France will turn 30 in July), and got his first taste of MLB this season for Tampa Bay. He was optioned May 14 to AAA Durham Bulls.
July 29th, 2021
The Rays surprisingly parted ways with high-leverage reliever Diego Castillo on Thursday, trading the right-hander to the Mariners for righty reliever JT Chargois and infield prospect Austin Shenton.
![Austin Shenton.png](./download/file.php?id=10334&sid=34c7b5d5fbbed72d8aa3f0b5c204e822)
- Austin Shenton.png (19.61 KiB) Viewed 134 times
While many here wait for, and salivate, over 1B savior Tyler Lockleer (I'm anxious and hopeful for his bright future, also), our Rainiers AAA 1B depth is lacking in promise.
1B/C - Michael Papierski had a decent spring but is NOT tearing the cover off the ball for the Rainiers - .187 \ .259 \ .333 \.592 and is really the 2nd string catcher for Tacoma to Blake Hunt.
1B/OF - Jason Vosler will be 31 in Sept, bats L and is a good fielder with some power. 4 HR, 22 RBI - .294 \ .388 \ .449 \ .836. He's had a limited taste of MLB experience with the Reds in '23 and S.F. in '21 and '22. He is a call-up option.
2B/3B/1B/OF - Jake Slaughter, RH batter, newly acquired from the Cubs for RH reliever Tyson Miller, has intrigue but has yet to ever get a MLB call-up He will turn 28 later this year. He is versatile and the Mariners love versatile utilitarians as we all know. .296 \ .388 /.478 / .866 with 5 HR & 17 RBI this year, AAA Iowa/Tacoma.......and has a little speed.
Of course, Ty France could keep turning up his hitting and be a more positive run producer from here on out in 2024 and help the M's fortunes.
However,
Austin Shenton is my pick for this week's lost opportunities. In 2023, AAA/AA, he stroked 45 doubles, 29 HRs, 99 RBIs with an OPS of 1.006.
He's not fast but I bet he could lap France in a race around the bases.