Austin Slater Should Be Our Starting Left Fielder

The San Francisco Giants have been struggling for years now to find an every day left fielder and Austin Slater should be their new, every-day left fielder…for now.

If that first sentence seemed confusing, that’s because we still do not know if Slater or Mac Williamson, Alen Hanson, Hunter Pence, Austin Jackson or someone not even on the roster yet will eventually take over the position.

After tonight, it is clear that the Giants have a promising option in the former Stanford star who has successfully hit at every level, including the big leagues last season.

Slater ended up driving in both runs tonight that led to a 2-1 win against the first place Arizona Diamondbacks.

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This kind of instant production will have some fans asking for Slater to take over the job, and he may very well do that.

Slater has been hitting all season and can play all three outfield spots. While he might be a great fit as a fourth outfielder with that versatility, he is hitting too much to be denied the chance to play every day.

That is the main reason it has taken so long for him to be called up in the first place. The Giants brass wanted to see him get every day at bats and with Hunter Pence and Mac Williamson, the team wanted to give them a chance to win the left field job.

As injuries piled up for both, the Giants could not ignore Slater’s bat in Sacramento.

Now, the big questions will be: Will the Giants let Slater take over in left field? and Will he get any competition from Williamson or anyone else as the season continues?

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As for now, Slater is the every day left fielder and the Giants are certainly happy with the results so far.

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