Before beginning his professional career with the San Francisco Giants, the Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Austin Slater in the 44th round of the 2011 MLB Draft, the same draft in which San Francisco selected Derek Law, Joe Panik, and Kelby Tomlinson.
After leading The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida to three straight state championships as team captain, Prospect Wire named Slater the best prospect in the state heading into his senior year. Slater expected to declare for the draft after his senior season, but after breaking his ankle during a game of frisbee with friends, his stock dramatically plummeted.