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Austin Slater
Austin Slater
from Wikipedia

Austin Thomas Slater (born December 13, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Detroit Tigers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees. Slater played college baseball for the Stanford Cardinal, and was selected by the Giants in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2017 with the Giants.

Key Information

Early life and career

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Austin Thomas Slater was born on December 13, 1992, in Jacksonville, Florida. Slater attended The Bolles School in Jacksonville and played for the school's baseball team. He broke his ankle while playing frisbee, and did not play baseball in his senior year.[1] He was drafted as a shortstop by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 44th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.[1]

Slater did not sign, and instead played college baseball at Stanford University, batting .310 with five home runs and 72 runs batted in (RBIs) in 113 career games during three seasons.[1] Slater played for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League in the summers of 2013 and 2014, and was named a league all-star in 2013.[2][3]

Professional career

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San Francisco Giants (2014–2024)

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Minor leagues (2014–2017)

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After his junior year, the San Francisco Giants selected Slater in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB draft, and he signed for a $200,000 signing bonus.[4][5] Slater made his professional debut in 2014 with the Arizona League Giants and was promoted to the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes after two games.[6] In 31 games between both teams, he batted .346 with two home runs and 25 RBIs. He was moved from outfield to second base in 2015.[7]

Slater spent the 2015 season with the San Jose Giants and Richmond Flying Squirrels, where he posted a .294 batting average with three home runs and 47 RBIs in 114 games between both teams. He was a CAL mid-season All Star.[8] After the season, the Giants assigned him to the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League (AFL).

Slater was moved back to the outfield in 2016 and started the year back with Richmond, and was later promoted to the Sacramento River Cats. In 109 games between both teams, he posted a combined .305 batting average with 18 home runs and 67 RBIs.[9] He was an MiLB 2016 organization All Star.[8] Slater played for the Scorpions of the AFL after the regular season. He began the 2017 season with Sacramento.

2017–2019

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On June 2, 2017, the Giants promoted Slater to the major leagues.[10] He made his debut later that night, starting at right field against the Philadelphia Phillies. Slater recorded his first career hit and RBI in the sixth inning in the same game.[11] He spent the remainder of the season with the Giants after his promotion, batting .282/.339/.402 with three home runs and 16 RBIs in 117 at bats in 34 games.[12]

Slater began the 2018 season with Sacramento, where he batted .344/.417/.564 with five home runs and 32 RBIs in 195 at bats, and stole seven bases without being caught.[13] He was an MiLB 2018 organization All Star.[8] In 2018 with the Giants he batted .251/.333/.307 with one home run and 23 RBIs in at 199 bats.[13]

Slater played part of the 2019 season with Sacramento, batting .308/.436/.529 with 12 home runs and 45 RBIs in 240 at bats.[13] In 2019 with the Giants, playing primarily right field, he batted .238/.333/.417 with five home runs and 21 RBIs in 168 at bats.[13]

2020–2024

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In the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2020 MLB season, Slater batted .282/.408/.506 with 18 runs, five home runs, and seven RBIs in 85 at bats. Slater stole eight bases (10th in the NL) in nine attempts (his 88.89% stolen base percentage was 5th-best in the NL).[12]

Avoiding arbitration, Slater and the Giants agreed on a $1.15 million salary for the 2021 season.[14] In the 2021 regular season, he batted .241/.320/.423 with 39 runs, 12 home runs, and 32 RBIs in 274 at bats, and stole 15 bases in 17 attempts (his 88.24% success rate led the National League).[12] As a pinch hitter, he led the major leagues with 13 RBIs, and tied for the major league lead with four home runs.[15] He primarily played center field, with stints in left field and right field (his perfect fielding percentage led all NL outfielders), and one game as a pitcher.[12]

In 2022, Slater batted .264/.366/.408 in a career-high 277 at bats, with 49 runs, seven home runs, 34 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases on 13 attempts.[16] He played 106 games in center field, 44 as a pinch hitter, 16 in left field, 14 in right field, 7 as a pinch runner, and two as a DH.[16] He batted 10-for-30 as a pinch hitter, with 11 walks and three hit-by-pitch (.333/.546/.500).[16] His 10 pinch hits were second in the major leagues, and his six pinch RBIs tied for fifth.[17]

On January 13, 2023, Slater agreed to a one-year, $3.2 million contract with the Giants, avoiding salary arbitration.[18] In 89 games for San Francisco, he hit .270/.348/.400 with five home runs and 20 RBIs. Following the season on October 11, Slater underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur from the back of his right elbow.[19]

Cincinnati Reds (2024)

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On July 7, 2024, the Giants traded Slater to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Alex Young.[20] In 8 games for Cincinnati, Slater went 2–for–18 (.111) with 3 RBI and 2 walks.

Baltimore Orioles (2024)

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On July 30, 2024, the Reds traded Slater, infielder Liván Soto, and cash considerations to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.[21] In 33 games for Baltimore, he slashed .246/.342/.333 with one home run, six RBI, and one stolen base.

Chicago White Sox (2025)

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On November 18, 2024, Slater signed a one-year, $1.7 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.[22] On April 12, 2025, he was placed on the injured list after suffering a meniscus tear in his right knee.[23] On April 15, Slater was ruled out for four-to-six weeks after undergoing surgery.[24] In 51 total appearances for Chicago, he batted .236/.299/.423 with five home runs, 11 RBI, and one stolen base.

New York Yankees (2025)

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On July 30, 2025, the White Sox traded Slater to the New York Yankees in exchange for Gage Ziehl.[25][26] Slater made 14 appearances for the Yankees, going 3-for-25 (.120) with two RBI.

Detroit Tigers (2026–present)

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On February 10, 2026, Slater signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers.[27]

Personal life

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Slater was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. He was named after his grandfather, Ed Austin, who was Mayor of Jacksonville from 1991–95.[28]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Austin Slater (born December 13, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder and following the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season. A versatile known for his ability to contribute in multiple positions including left field, right field, center field, first base, and as a , Slater has batted .248 with 45 home runs and 184 RBIs over his career through the 2025 season. Slater was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and attended , where he played for the Stanford Cardinal from 2011 to 2014, earning all-conference honors in 2014. The San Francisco Giants selected him in the eighth round (238th overall) of the 2014 MLB Draft, and he made his MLB debut with the team on June 2, 2017, after progressing through their minor league system. In his early MLB years with the Giants (2017–2024), Slater established himself as a reliable role player, notably hitting a pinch-hit grand slam in 2021—the 22nd such in San Francisco-era history—and posting a .241 average with 12 home runs in 129 games that year. Midseason trades marked 2024, sending him to the and later the Baltimore Orioles, before he signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the for 2025. On July 30, 2025, the White Sox traded him to the New York Yankees, where he appeared in 65 games that season, batting .216 with 5 home runs and a .642 .

Early life and amateur career

Early life and family

Austin Slater was born on December 13, 1992, in . He grew up in the city, where his family resided and where he spent his early years immersed in the local community. Slater's family played a significant role in his upbringing, particularly through his maternal grandfather, , after whom he was named. Ed Austin served as the mayor of Jacksonville from 1991 to 1995, and Slater often accompanied him to travel baseball games and errands during his childhood, fostering a close bond and exposing him to public life. This family influence highlighted a blend of civic duty and personal engagement that Slater has noted as formative. Slater attended in Jacksonville, a preparatory institution known for its athletics program. His early interest in developed in Jacksonville, where he became a fan of the during their dominant era, idolizing Hall of Famer , a fellow Bolles alumnus. This passion led him to pursue the sport actively at the school level.

High school career

Austin Slater attended in , where he played baseball as a and for the Bulldogs from 2008 to 2011. During his tenure, the team achieved significant success, winning three consecutive (FHSAA) Class 3A state championships in 2008, 2009, and 2010. In the 2009 state title game, Slater contributed offensively with a three-run in the fourth and a three-run double in the fifth, helping secure a 12-4 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Slater emerged as a standout player, earning recognition as a 2011 All-First Coast selection and AFLCA All-American. Scouting reports highlighted his athleticism and five-tool potential, noting his 6.62-second time, strong infield arm velocity of 91 mph, balanced setup at the plate, and ability to hit for power with gap-to-gap contact. He ranked as the No. 19 overall prospect in and No. 4 in the state for the class of 2011, according to Perfect Game evaluations. In limited tracked games during his senior year, Slater posted a .500 with a .700 over three appearances. Following his senior season, Slater was selected by the in the 44th round (1,334th overall) of the 2011 MLB Draft. Despite the opportunity, he chose not to sign and instead committed to to continue his career at the collegiate level.

College career

Slater enrolled at in 2012 and played for the from 2012 to 2014. As a in 2012, he saw limited action in six games, recording no hits in three at-bats while the team finished 41-18 overall and advanced to the Super Regionals. In his of 2013, Slater appeared in 51 games, batting .259 with three home runs and 32 RBIs as Stanford posted a 32-22 record but missed the postseason. Slater's junior year in 2014 marked his strongest performance, earning First Team All-Pac-12 honors after hitting .341 with 78 hits, two home runs, and 40 RBIs in 59 games; he contributed to Stanford's 35-26 season that included a appearance, where the Cardinal were eliminated in the opening round. Over his three seasons, Slater compiled a .305 with five home runs and 72 RBIs in 116 games, primarily as an and . Majoring in Science, Technology, and Society, Slater balanced demanding academics—often carrying 16-20 units per quarter—with daily four-to-five-hour practices, staying at least one quarter ahead in credits to prepare for potential opportunities. Stanford's program prioritized academic progress under longtime coach Mark Marquess, requiring underclassmen to advance in coursework to support long-term development, a strategy that contributed to high graduation rates among drafted players.

Professional career

Minor leagues and draft (2014–2017)

Following a standout college career at Stanford University, Austin Slater was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the eighth round (238th overall) of the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft. He signed with the organization on July 18, 2014, receiving a $200,000 signing bonus, which exceeded the slot value of $158,400. The Giants assigned him to their rookie-level affiliate, the Arizona League Giants, where he appeared in two games, batting .333 with one home run. Slater was quickly promoted to the Short-Season A Salem-Keizer Volcanoes of the Northwest League, where he excelled in 29 games with a .347 batting average, two home runs, and 23 runs scored, finishing the season with a combined .346 average over 31 minor league games. In 2015, Slater advanced to Advanced-A with the of the , posting a .292 in 60 games while earning a Mid-Season selection. He received a mid-season promotion to Double-A of the Eastern League, where he batted .296 in 54 games, contributing to an overall .294 average for the year across 114 games, with three home runs and 47 RBIs. Slater's progression continued in 2016, beginning at Double-A Richmond, where he hit .317 with eight home runs in 41 games before another mid-season call-up to Triple-A of the . In 68 games with Sacramento, he batted .298 and hit 10 home runs, blending for a .305 average, 18 home runs, and 67 RBIs over 109 total games that season. Returning to Sacramento for the 2017 season, Slater batted .321 with five home runs and 27 RBIs in 50 games, showcasing consistent contact skills with a .381 . Through his four seasons with the Giants' system up to 2017, Slater compiled a .304 , 28 home runs, and 166 RBIs in 304 games, demonstrating steady development as a versatile . On June 2, 2017, he was promoted to the major leagues and made his MLB debut that day for the Giants against the Philadelphia Phillies at , going 1-for-5 with an RBI in the game.

San Francisco Giants (2017–2024)

Slater made his debut with the San Francisco Giants on June 2, 2017, after being selected in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of , where he had transitioned from the as a versatile capable of playing multiple positions and first base. In his rookie season, he appeared in 34 games, batting .282 with three home runs and 16 RBIs, primarily serving as a . In 2018, Slater expanded his role, playing in 74 games with a .251 , one , 23 RBIs, and seven s, continuing to provide depth in the outfield amid injuries to key players. His 2019 campaign saw 68 games, a .238 , five s, and 21 RBIs, though his playing time remained limited as a bench option. The shortened season marked a breakout for Slater, as he posted a .282/.408/.506 slash line in 31 games, including five s, seven RBIs, and eight s—tying for 10th in the National League in steals despite the 60-game schedule. In 2021, he achieved career highs with 129 games played, a .241/.320/.423 slash line, 12 s, 32 RBIs, and 15 s (12th in the NL), establishing himself as a reliable contributor with a career-high 91.2% stolen base success rate. Slater signed a one-year, $1.15 million through for 2021, reflecting his growing value as a . The following year, 2022, he appeared in 125 games, hitting .264/.366/.408 with seven home runs, 34 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases (24th in the NL). In 2023, limited by injuries, he played 89 games for a .270/.348/.400 slash line, five home runs, and 20 RBIs before undergoing arthroscopic right elbow surgery on October 11 to remove a spur and perform an transposition, with an expected recovery for 2024. He had agreed to a one-year, $3.2 million deal for that season. Over his Giants tenure from 2017 to mid-2024, Slater played in 593 games, compiling a .255 , 39 home runs, 162 RBIs, and 47 stolen bases, often excelling in left-handed matchups as a key and defensive option in . On July 7, 2024, the Giants traded him to the in exchange for left-handed reliever Alex Young.

Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles (2024)

On July 7, 2024, the Giants traded outfielder Austin Slater and cash considerations to the in exchange for left-handed reliever Alex Young, marking the end of Slater's tenure with the organization where he had spent his entire major league career up to that point. Slater appeared in 8 games for the Reds, batting .111 with 3 RBI and no home runs, struggling to find consistent playing time in a crowded . His limited production reflected a broader offensive slump, as he managed just 2 hits in 18 at-bats during his brief stint in . Less than a month later, on July 30, 2024, the Reds traded Slater, along with infielder Livan Soto and cash considerations, to the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named later, as part of Cincinnati's moves ahead of the trade deadline to reshape their roster. With the Orioles, Slater transitioned into a primary bench role as a versatile outfielder, providing depth during Baltimore's competitive AL East race. In 33 games, he posted a .246/.342/.333 slash line, including 1 home run and 6 RBI, while drawing 18 walks in 96 plate appearances to demonstrate plate discipline amid sporadic starts. His contributions helped bolster the lineup's flexibility, particularly against left-handed pitching, where his right-handed bat offered matchup value. Slater's arrival coincided with the Orioles' late-season push, as clinched the AL East title and earned a playoff berth for the second straight year. He appeared in 1 postseason game during the AL against the , going 1-for-2, though the Orioles were eliminated in two games.

Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees (2025)

Following his time with the and Baltimore Orioles in 2024, Slater signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the in free agency on November 20, 2024. Slater began the 2025 season as a utility for the White Sox, appearing in 51 games before the trade deadline. In 135 plate appearances, he posted a .236 , .299 , and .423 , along with 5 home runs and 11 runs batted in. On April 12, 2025, Slater suffered a right during a game against the Boston Red Sox, leading to his placement on the 10-day . He underwent surgery on April 15 to repair the injury and was sidelined for approximately five weeks, returning to the active roster on May 19. On July 30, 2025, the White Sox traded Slater to the New York Yankees in exchange for minor league pitching prospect Gage Ziehl. With the Yankees, Slater served primarily as a utility , providing depth in the outfield and occasional starts against left-handed pitching. He suffered a left strain on August 4, 2025, and was activated from the on September 5; he batted .120 (3-for-25) in 14 late-season games. Across both teams in 2025, Slater finished with a .219 , 5 home runs, and 13 runs batted in over 160 plate appearances.

Free agency (2025–present)

Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, Austin Slater became an unrestricted after his one-year contract with the New York Yankees expired. Through the 2025 season, Slater had compiled career totals of a .248 , 45 home runs, and 184 runs batted in over 523 Major League games across nine seasons with five teams. In 2025, Slater appeared in 65 games split between the and Yankees, posting a .216 average with five home runs and 13 RBI while serving primarily as a and left-handed pitching matchup option. As of November 2025, Slater, a 33-year-old right-handed hitter with strong on-base skills against lefties, is projected as a low-cost veteran option for 2026 contenders seeking bench depth and advantages, with analysts viewing him as a bargain due to his durability and versatility across positions. No specific negotiations or signings have been reported for Slater in the early offseason, as teams finalize rosters ahead of the November 21 non-tender deadline and Winter Meetings.

Personal life

Family background

Austin Slater was born on December 13, 1992, in , where his family has deep roots. His parents are Thomas Slater, a partner at the Jacksonville Pajcic & Pajcic, and Amy Slater (née Austin). Slater has one , a named Sarah. Slater's maternal grandfather, T. Edward "Ed" Austin Jr. (1926–2011), was a prominent figure in Jacksonville's , serving as the city's from 1991 to 1995. Prior to his mayoral term, Austin had a distinguished legal career, including roles as the first for Florida's Fourth Judicial Circuit in 1963 and State Attorney for nearly 20 years from 1969 to 1990. As , he spearheaded the River City initiative, which revitalized downtown Jacksonville through projects like a new City Hall, , and the establishment of the Jacksonville Children's Commission; he also played a key role in securing the NFL's franchise for the city. This family legacy in and community leadership has been a point of pride for Slater, who was named after his grandfather and whose teammates nicknamed him "Mayor" in reference to this heritage. Throughout Slater's career, his provided consistent support, particularly during transitions from high school to and into the ranks. His father, Thomas, attended numerous games and organized summer trips to parks to nurture his son's passion for the sport, beginning with T-ball at age five in Jacksonville's Ortega League. Ed Austin, despite his own demanding career, was one of Slater's biggest fans, regularly attending his travel games before his death in 2011. Slater is married to Caroline Slater. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Beau Jackson Slater, in November 2024.

Name origin and heritage

Austin Slater was named after his maternal grandfather, Edward "Ed" Austin Jr., a prominent figure in , who served as the city's mayor from 1991 to 1995. This naming choice reflects deep family ties to and , values central to the Austin family's legacy in . Slater's heritage is rooted in the city's civic traditions, where his grandfather's tenure emphasized fairness, justice, and . The personal significance of Slater's name became evident in his professional baseball career, particularly through a nickname adopted by teammates during MLB's Players' Weekend in 2018. Upon learning of his relation to the former mayor, they dubbed him "Mayor," a moniker that highlights how his family heritage influences his identity among peers. This anecdote underscores the enduring impact of his grandfather's legacy on Slater's sense of responsibility and connection to his Jacksonville roots, shaping aspects of his public persona beyond the field. Slater's immediate family background includes involvement in and through his maternal lineage, symbolizing a broader commitment to service that has informed his approach to life and career.

References

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