| Tommy Hunter | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Hunter with the New York Mets in 2023 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1986-07-03)July 3, 1986 (age 39) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 1, 2008, for the Texas Rangers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 9, 2023, for the New York Mets | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 56–47 |
| Earned run average | 4.07 |
| Strikeouts | 639 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Medals | |
Raymond Thomas Hunter (born July 3, 1986) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theTexas Rangers,Baltimore Orioles,Chicago Cubs,Cleveland Indians,Tampa Bay Rays,Philadelphia Phillies, andNew York Mets.
Hunter was drafted by the Rangers in the supplemental first round of the2007 MLB draft out of theUniversity of Alabama. He made his major league debut in 2008. In 2010 he led theAmerican League with a .765winning percentage, as he had a 13–4win–loss record.
Hunter was born to Ray and Pam Hunter inIndianapolis,Indiana, and raised there with his older sister Megan.[1] Hunter attendedCathedral High School, where he was a two-time All-City Player of the Year (2004 and 2005) .[2][1] He played both baseball and football for the school.[3] He was also a two-time Junior Olympicjudo champion.[3]
Hunter married girlfriend Ellen Cohara on January 4, 2014.[4] They have two sons, Henry and Oliver.[3]
Hunter attended theUniversity of Alabama for two years.[3] At Alabama, Hunter played for theAlabama Crimson Tide and was a Second-TeamAll-American in his freshman season, during which the team won the 2006Southeastern Conference Championship, and a pre-season All-American entering his sophomore season.[5] He also earned a gold medal at theWorld University Baseball Championship with the USA National Baseball Team in 2006.[3]
Hunter was drafted by theTexas Rangers in the supplemental first round of the2007 Major League Baseball draft out of the University of Alabama, and signed for a $585,000signing bonus.[6] The Rangers were awarded a compensatory pick whenMark DeRosa left to go to theChicago Cubs infree agency.
Hunter made his major league debut on August 1, 2008, taking on theToronto Blue Jays as the fourth-youngest player in the American League shortly after turning 22 years of age.[7] He pitched 11 innings for the Rangers in 2008.[8] He recorded his first MLB win on July 3, 2009, against theTampa Bay Rays. Hunter recorded his first Major League complete game on September 13 against theSeattle Mariners. On October 3 Hunter gave upKen Griffey Jr.'s 630th careerhome run.
In 2009, Hunter was 9–6 with a 4.10 ERA, with 64 strikeouts in 112 innings.[3] He held right-handed hitters to a .228 batting average (seventh-lowest in the AL), and opponents at home to a .226 average (the lowest single-season figure ever by a pitcher with at least 10 starts atRangers Ballpark).[3]
Hunter made his 2010 season debut on June 5, pitching a complete game win against theTampa Bay Rays. He went 13–4 for the season (an American League-leading .765 win–loss percentage), with a 3.73 ERA as he struck out 68 batters in 128 innings.[7] His 13 wins tiedDerek Holland for the most wins by any pitcher in the Rangers organization in 2010, in either the major or minor leagues.[3] Hunter started Game 4 of the ALCS vs theYankees.
In 2011 with the Rangers, Hunter was 1–1 with a 2.93 ERA, and struck out 10 batters in 15.1 innings.[8]
On July 30, 2011, the Rangers traded Hunter andfirst basemanChris Davis to theBaltimore Orioles for relieverKoji Uehara.[9] In 2011 with Baltimore, he was 3–3 with a 5.06 ERA, with 35 strikeouts in 69.1 innings.[8]
In the 2012 season, Hunter posted a 7–8 record with a 5.45 ERA, with 77 strikeouts in 133.2 innings.[8] He was a starter for a while, but was optioned to Triple A Norfolk. He was placed in thebullpen as a reliever. As a reliever, Hunter's fastball averaged 96MPH over the month of September, and topped out at 100 MPH, after averaging 91–92 MPH for his career.[10] In 2013, he was 6–5 with four saves and a 2.81 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 68.1 innings in 68 games, and held right-handed batters to a batting line of .141/.190/.154 in 159 plate appearances.[7][3]
After former closerJim Johnson was traded to theOakland Athletics, Hunter was named the Orioles' new closer for the 2014 season. Hunter started the 2014 season as the Orioles' closer and was successful in 11 of his 12save opportunities, but he blew two consecutive saves on May 10 and 13 and then was placed on the 15-daydisabled list.[11] When he returned, he continued to work out of the bullpen, but not as the closer. For the 2014 season, Hunter finished 3–2 with 11 saves and a 2.97 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 60.2 innings in 60 games.[7] He agreed to a one-year deal worth $4.65 million in January 2015, avoiding arbitration.[12]
Hunter was 2–2 with Baltimore in 2015 with a 3.63 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 44.2 innings.[7]
On July 31, 2015, Hunter was traded to theChicago Cubs for outfielderJunior Lake.[13][14] He was 2–0 with one save with the Cubs with a 5.74 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 15.2 innings.[7] After the season, he had two surgeries to repair a core muscle injury.[3]
Hunter signed a one-year contract worth $2 million with theCleveland Indians on February 12, 2016.[15] He was placed on the injured list on July 17 after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his back following a fall at his home.[16] On August 25, Hunter was released.[17] He was 2–2 with the Indians with a 3.74 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 21.2 innings.[7]
TheBaltimore Orioles signed Hunter on August 28, 2016.[18] He was 0–0 with the Orioles with a 2.19 ERA in 12 games.[7]
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On February 22, 2017, Hunter signed a minor league deal with theTampa Bay Rays.[19] Hunter impressed inspring training and received a spot in the bullpen. He had an ERA of 1.08 in 10 appearances before suffering a calf injury after running to first base on a ball in play. On April 23, Hunter was placed on the10-Day DL. He was activated off the DL on May 25.[20]
Hunter finished the season with a 3–5 record with one save and 25holds (fifth in the AL) in 61 appearances with a 2.61 ERA (a career low), pitching predominantly in the eighth inning before closerAlex Colomé. He held all hitters to a .202/.254/.333 batting line as he struck out 64 batters in 58.2 innings.[21]
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On December 15, 2017, Hunter signed a two-year contract with thePhiladelphia Phillies.[22] He changed his number from 40 to 96 afterWilson Ramos was acquired from theRays.[23] In 2018 with the Phillies, he was 5–4 with four saves, 25 holds (tied for fifth in the NL), and a 3.80 ERA, as he struck out 51 batters in 64 innings over 65 games.[8][24]
Hunter began the 2019 season on the disabled list with a right forearm injury. He was placed on the disabled list on July 14 with a right forearm injury that cost him the first three months of the season.[25] On July 23, Hunter underwent season-ending surgery to repair theflexor tendon in his right arm.[26][27] In 2019, he was 0–0 with a 0.00 ERA in 5.1 innings over five games.[8] On February 12, 2020, Hunter re-signed with the Phillies on a one-year deal.[28]
On February 14, 2021, Hunter signed a minor league contract with theNew York Mets with an invitation to spring training.[29] On March 25, Hunter exercised the opt-out clause in his contract and was released by the Mets.[30] On March 30, Hunter re-signed with the Mets on a new minor league contract.[30] On May 6, Hunter was selected to the active roster.[31] On May 18, 2021, Hunter recorded his first Major League hit, a single off ofTucker Davidson of theAtlanta Braves atTruist Park.[32] After the game he described it as fulfilling and said it made him feel like "a real baseball player."[33] On June 10, Hunter was placed on the 60-day injured list with lower back pain.[34] In 4 games with the Mets, Hunter pitched eight scoreless innings with six strikeouts.
On July 23, 2021, Hunter was traded to theTampa Bay Rays alongside minor league catcher Matthew Dyer in exchange forRich Hill.[35]
On May 2, 2022, Hunter signed a minor league deal with theNew York Mets and was assigned to the Triple-ASyracuse Mets. On June 17, Hunter was selected to the 40-man roster and active rosters.[36] Hunter made 18 appearances for the Mets in 2022, pitching to an 0–1 record and 2.48 ERA with 22 strikeouts in22+1⁄3 innings pitched.
On December 6, 2022, Hunter re-signed with the Mets on a minor league contract.[37] On March 27, 2023, Hunter was selected to the 40-man roster.[38] In 14 appearances for the Mets, Hunter struggled to a 6.85 ERA with 20 strikeouts in23+2⁄3 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment by the team on June 10.[39] He was released by New York on June 13.[40]
On October 11, 2023, Hunter announced his retirement from professional baseball on former teammateAdam Jones' podcast.[41]
