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 2017 with Sacramento.
2017–2019
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]
He began 2018 with Sacramento, with whom 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]
He played part of 2019 with Sacramento again, 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
In the Covid-shortened 2020 MLB season, Slater batted .282/.408/.506 with 18 runs, 5 home runs, and 7 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 he 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 5 home runs and 20 RBI. 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)
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)
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
On November 18, 2024, Slater signed a one-year, $1.7 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.[22]
Personal life
Slater was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. He was named after his grandfather, Ed Austin, who was Mayor of Jacksonville from 1991–95.[23]
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