Full name is Justin Michael Slaten...Played three seasons at the University of New Mexico (2017-19)...Earned Second Team All-Mountain West honors as a junior...Named Northwoods League Pitcher of the Year in 2018 for the Eau Claire Express...Graduated from Hallsville (Texas) High School...In the Community Participated in the Red Sox Rookie Development Program in January 2024...The program included two workouts daily, seminars focused on assimilating into Major League life on and off the field, an RBI clinic with the Red Sox Foundation and a visit to Boston Children’s Hospital...Attended Fenway Fest in January 2025 and 2026, signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans.
2025
Made his second career Opening Day roster (also 2024)...Posted a 1.59 ERA (3 ER/17.0 IP) in 16 games at Fenway Park in 2025 with a 0.71 WHIP and .158 opponent AVG (9-for-57)...Owned a 6.88 ERA (13 ER/17 IP) in 20 games on the road...Did not allow a hit, walk, or hit batter to a career-high 23 consecutive batters from 5/4-20...It ranked as the second-longest streak by a Red Sox pitcher in 2025 behind Aroldis Chapman’s 24 consecutive batters retired without a hit, walk or HBP from 8/19-9/7...From 4/3-30, held a career-high 28 consecutive batters hitless (0-for-25, 3 BB), the second-longest hitless streak by a Red Sox pitcher in 2025 behind Aroldis Chapman (50 straight from 7/23-9/7)...His walk-off single allowed on 4/30 at TOR ended his career-long streak of seven straight games with zero hits (from 4/6 [G1]-4/26 [G2])...Did not allow an earned run over a career-high 11 appearances from 5/8-8/29, totaling 12.0 IP (5 H, 8 SO)...Also set a career-long scoreless streak from 5/8-5/27, tossing 10.2 scoreless innings in nine appearances...Was placed on the 15-Day IL on 5/29 with right shoulder inflammation...Transferred to the 60-Day IL on 6/28 and was reinstated from the 60-Day IL on 8/28 after missing 76 games...Had a 3.47 ERA (9 ER/23.1 IP) in 24 appearances before the All-Star break...Owned a 5.91 ERA (7 ER/10.2 IP) in 12 games in the second half.
2024
Made his first Opening Day roster and his MLB debut, after being selected by the Mets in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft and then traded to the Red Sox. Missed 40 games on the Injured List due to right elbow inflammation, from 7/9-8/26. Ranked in MLB’s 90th percentile or higher in chase rate (97th, 34.9%), walk rate (97th, 4.0%), and barrel rate (96th, 3.9%)...His walk rate ranked 11th in MLB and seventh in the AL (min. 50.0 IP). Struck out 58 batters and walked only nine...Ranked T-9th in MLB with a 6.44 SO/BB ratio (min. 50.0 IP). Ranked third on the Red Sox in holds (13)...Also went 6-2 and earned two saves. 31 of his 44 outings were scoreless...Threw 2.0+ innings 11 times. Recorded at least 1 SO in 35 of his 44 appearances (2+ SO in 14 games and 3+ SO in 7 games). Allowed only 11 XBH (6 2B , 3B, 4 HR). In 19 home games, posted a 1.78 ERA (5 ER/25.1 IP) with 24 SO...His home ERA was tied for the 14th lowest in MLB (min. 25.0 IP).
2023
Posted a 2.87 ERA (19 ER/59.2 IP), .206 opponent AVG and 12.97 SO/9.0 IP (86 SO) in 40 games (one start) between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock...Recorded a season-high-tying 2.0 IP 19 times...Held RHH to a .168 AVG (22-for-131), including a .000 AVG in Triple-A (0-for-11, 2 BB, 1 SO)...LHH hit .265 (22-for-83) against him...Allowed 0 runs and issued 0 BB in his first five outings (7.0 IP, 11 SO) before being placed on the injured list on 5/2 with a right forearm strain...Reinstated from the IL on 6/2 and held a 1.42 ERA (4 ER/25.1 IP) through 7/9...Posted a 12.86 ERA (10 ER/7.0 IP) in his next six outings (7/16-30), then recorded a 1.89 ERA (4 ER/19.0 IP) in his remaining 16 games...Was promoted to Round Rock on 9/12 and recorded a 1.08 ERA (1 ER/8.1 IP) and .107 opponent AVG in five games with the Express, his first Triple-A experience.