Slaten was drafted in the 17th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks and signed July 5, 2000. He spent the 2001 season with the Lancaster JetHawks. He split the 2002 season, between the South Bend Silver Hawks and Lancaster. In 2003, he played for the Lancaster JetHawks again. In 2004, he mostly pitched for South Bend, but also pitched for the AA El Paso Diablos. In 2005, he pitched for the AA Tennessee Smokies. In 2006, pitching for the Smokies, he was named a Southern League Mid-Season All-Star. In 2006, Slaten went 4-4 with a 1.43 ERA with 80 strikeouts in the minor leagues. Slaten made his major league debut on September 4, for the Arizona Diamondbacks, against the Florida Marlins. He would finish the season not giving up a single earned run in 9 appearances. In, Slaten appeared in 61 games for the D-Backs and recorded a 2.72 ERA and helped the team win the NL West. After a 4.30 ERA in 38 games in, Slaten was optioned to Triple-A Tucson. He would come back for the 2009 season in Arizona but would only get to a career worst, 7.11 ERA in 11 games. Slaten would again be sent to the minors. Slaten was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals on November 4, 2009.
Washington Nationals
Slaten was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals on November 4, 2009. In his first year with the Nationals, Slaten had a career high 4 wins and also have a career high in number of innings pitched and strikeouts. Slaten would finish the season with a 3.10 ERA. Slaten would start off the 2011 season by not giving up a single run until his 15th appearance. He finished with a 4.41 ERA with 13 strikeouts and an 0-2 record in 16 1/3 innings.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Slaten signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in January 2012. Slaten was assigned to the AAA Indianapolis Indians. On April 29, 2012, in a game between Indianapolis and the Durham Bulls, Slaten pitched the final inning of a combined no-hitter. Justin Wilson pitched the first 7 1/3 innings, and Jose Diaz got the final 2 outs in the 8th inning. On May 28, he was called up and pitched in 10 games until on June 27, he was designated for assignment to make room for Oscar Tejeda. During the 10 games Slaten composed of a 2.77 ERA and 6 strikeouts.
Slaten signed a deal with the SK Wyverns in the KBO to be a starter, and then later cancelled his contract due to personal reasons. Slaten died October 4, 2016.
