Austin Slater started 2017 with Triple-A Sacramento after splitting time between Double-A Richmond and Sacramento last season, and since being drafted by the Giants in the eighth round of 2014 amateur draft, all he’s done is slash .304/.367/.434 and been a versatile defender in the outfield.

Slater has a compact, level stroke with good hand-eye coordination allowing him to make frequent hard contact. At times Slater’s front hip will leak open and he’ll get out on his front foot leaving him susceptible to breaking balls. He has a patient approach overall, but will be aggressive on fastballs out over the plate early in the count.

Slater has fringe-average power despite a significant increase in home runs in 2016 (18 between Double-A and Triple-A) while slashing .382/.473/.600 against left-handed pitching. He had an inside-out swing coming into pro ball and he’s since refined it, which could be one reason for the spike in power, but the PCL is notorious for being hitters’ ballparks, and for having rather pedestrian pitching as well. He flashes more doubles power than over-the-fence variety presently.

Slater displays average speed with the ability to go 1^st-to-3^rd base, and to steal the occasional base, but isn’t overly aggressive. His speed also plays on the grass, as he should be able to man either corner-outfield spot in spacious AT&T Park, with spot duty in centerfield not out of the question.

Ultimately, he profiles as a good fourth outfielder, or platoon option against lefties, with the outside potential to be a second-division everyday player. He profiles similar to that of Cubs OF Matt Szczur.