Austin Slater Isn't Living Up to His Reputation With the Mets

[Michael Reed]

Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

On April 26, after being designated for assignment by the Marlins, Austin Slater signed with the New York Mets. Given the team's struggles at the time of his signing, it made all the sense in the world to bring in a veteran like Slater. For most of his 10 year career, his number one priority has been to hit well vs LHP. The only problem is, he has not done so since 2023.

Before 2024, Slater had consistent playing time for the San Francisco Giants. With consistent appearances brought consistent numbers versus left-handed pitching. Since then, Slater has bounced around. In 2024, he was an Oriole and a Re; in 2025, he was with the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees. In his free agency, Slater was told he was the Sox's “top target” in their attempt to improve vs. southpaws.

Since his departure from the Giants, Slater has struggled mightily with the platoon advantage. So far this season, in 38 at-bats vs LHP, Slater is batting .184 with 14 strikeouts. Slater has found most of his time this season in a platoon with MJ Melendez. When Manager Carlos Mendoza was asked why Slater would pinch hit for Melendez, who currently sports a 132 OPS+, Mendoza said, “he is here to hit lefties. obviously”.

Some of the problems can be attributed to his struggles versus the fastball. When Slater was hitting well with the Giants, the fastball was the pitch he hit the best, consistently netting a +3 or above in run value. This season, his run value versus fastballs is a -3. As a team, the Mets rank 29th in fastball runs above average, hence why they hoped Slater would be able to help in that regard as well.

Slater has also not shown much power at the plate. Within his nine hits this season, only one has been a true barrel. He has one extra-base hit on the season and yet to hit one out of the park. Slater’s hard-hit rate and slugging percentage are both near the bottom of the league as of the start of the Subway Series.

To partner all of that with Slater never being a plus defender in the outfield, you start to question what value he brings to the roster. Barring a turnaround, it could be time for the Mets to take a look at Nick Morabito in Triple-A Syracuse, who currently sports a .333 batting average vs. left-handed pitching. For Slater to continue his time with the Mets, he'll have to rediscover a form that's seemingly been lost to time.

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