Justin Michael Slaten Bio
Justin Michael Slaten is an American professional baseball pitcher who plays for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Born on September 15, 1997, Slaten made his major league debut in 2024 after being selected in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers. He reached the majors following stints in the minor leagues with the Rangers organization and was acquired by Boston via the Rule 5 Draft in December 2023.
Early Life and Background
Justin Michael Slaten grew up in Hallsville, Texas, where he attended Hallsville High School. During his senior high school season, Slaten established himself as a dominant pitcher, compiling a 6-5 record with a 1.49 earned run average and 105 strikeouts across 75 innings pitched. Despite these impressive statistics, Slaten went undrafted out of high school and chose to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level.
Slaten enrolled at The University of New Mexico, where he played for the New Mexico Lobos baseball team. His freshman season in 2017 saw him post a 2-2 record with a 3.71 ERA and 27 strikeouts over 33 and two-thirds innings. However, his sophomore year in 2018 proved challenging as he struggled to a 2-9 record with a 7.02 ERA across 66 and two-thirds innings.
Path to Professional Baseball
During the summer of 2018, Slaten played for the Eau Claire Express in the Northwoods League, a summer collegiate baseball league. This experience proved transformative for his development, as he went 7-1 with a 1.58 ERA and 70 strikeouts over 57 innings. The offseason preparation and competitive experience helped him refine his approach heading into his junior season.
In his junior year with New Mexico during 2019, Slaten bounced back strongly from his sophomore struggles. He posted a 5-5 record with a 2.51 ERA and 98 strikeouts across 82 and one-third innings. His improved performance caught the attention of professional scouts, leading to his selection in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Justin Michael Slaten Career
Texas Rangers Organization (2019–2023)
The Texas Rangers selected Justin Slaten in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He signed shortly after being drafted and began his professional career that same season. Slaten split his debut year between the AZL Rangers in the Rookie-level Arizona League and the Spokane Indians of the Low-A Northwest League. Combined, he went 0-2 with a 6.06 ERA and 22 strikeouts over 16 and one-third innings.
Slaten did not appear in any games during 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned to action in 2021 with the Hickory Crawdads of the High-A East League, where he posted a 4-8 record with a 6.01 ERA and 110 strikeouts across 82 and one-third innings.
Minor League Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Slaten spent the 2022 season with the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League. He struggled that year, compiling a 1-6 record with a 6.93 ERA and 64 strikeouts over 50 and two-thirds innings. However, he returned to Frisco to open the 2023 season and showed significant improvement, going 4-3 with a 3.16 ERA and 76 strikeouts across 51 and one-third innings.
In September 2023, Slaten received a promotion to the Round Rock Express of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. In his brief stint at the highest minor league level, he posted a 1-0 record with a 1.08 ERA over eight and one-third innings. Following the 2023 season, he continued his development by playing for the Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League.
Boston Red Sox Era (2024–Present)
On December 6, 2023, the New York Mets selected Slaten with the seventh overall pick in the Rule 5 Draft. However, rather than joining the Mets organization, Slaten was immediately traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league left-handed pitcher Ryan Ammons and cash considerations. He reported to Boston’s spring training and earned a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Slaten made his major league debut on March 30, 2024. In his rookie campaign with the Red Sox, he appeared in 44 games, compiling a 6-2 record with a 2.93 earned run average, 58 strikeouts, and two saves across 55 and one-third innings pitched. His performance established him as a reliable option in Boston’s bullpen.
Driving Style and Strengths
Slaten has developed into a effective relief pitcher with the ability to retire batters efficiently. His collegiate and minor league track record demonstrates the capacity to work through lineups multiple times while maintaining effectiveness. His experience spanning multiple minor league levels provided him with diverse situations that translated to his success at the major league level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Slaten’s notable career moments are his major league debut in late March 2024 and securing his first major league save during his rookie season. His selection in the Rule 5 Draft and subsequent successful transition to MLB represented a significant milestone in his professional career, culminating in his first full major league season.
Justin Michael Slaten Career Wins
Through June 2026, Justin Slaten has accumulated a win-loss record of 8-10 across his MLB career with the Boston Red Sox. He has recorded 103 strikeouts and maintained a 3.91 earned run average. His career includes multiple saves as a relief pitcher.
Boston Red Sox Highlights
Slaten’s most productive season came during his 2024 rookie year when he posted a 6-2 record with a 2.93 ERA and two saves. He followed this with 24 appearances in 2025 before being placed on the injured list in June due to shoulder inflammation. After spending time on the injured list, Slaten was activated in late August 2025 and continued contributing to Boston’s bullpen.
Other Wins and Performances
Prior to reaching the majors, Slaten accumulated wins across his minor league career in the Texas Rangers organization, including his strong 2018 summer with the Eau Claire Express where he went 7-1. His development through the Rangers system, particularly his 2023 season split between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, positioned him for his eventual MLB opportunity.
| Competition Level | Wins | Losses | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Baseball (2024–2026) | 8 | 10 | 3.91 | 103 |
Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information regarding Justin Slaten’s family background, parents, siblings, or any familial connections to professional baseball is limited. He has not been widely reported as coming from a baseball family with established professional ties.
Personal Life
Justin Michael Slaten maintains a private personal life. As of his MLB debut in 2024, no publicly available information indicates he is married or has children. His current residence has not been publicly disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began positively for Slaten as he reprised his role in the Boston Red Sox bullpen. Through his first 24 appearances, he posted a 1-4 record with a 3.47 ERA, 16 strikeouts, and three saves across 23 and one-third innings. His three saves matched his total from the previous season and demonstrated his versatility in closing situations.
In early June 2025, Slaten experienced a setback when he was placed on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation. The injury required a transfer to the 60-day injured list in late June, sidelining him for an extended period. This marked his first significant injury since reaching the majors.
Slaten was activated from the injured list on August 28, 2025, and resumed his contributions to Boston’s pitching staff for the remainder of the season. His return from injury provided the Red Sox with additional depth and experience in their relief corps as they competed in the American League.