| Hunter Stratton | |
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Pirates – No. 63 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1996-11-17)November 17, 1996 (age 28) Bristol, Tennessee, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 5, 2023, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 2–1 |
| Earned run average | 3.26 |
| Strikeouts | 43 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
Hunter Alexander Stratton (born November 17, 1996) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for thePittsburgh Pirates ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023.
Stratton attendedSullivan East High School inBluff City, Tennessee, where he finished his high school career with 168 strikeouts and was inducted into their Hall of Fame.[1] He played two seasons ofcollege baseball atWalters State Community College, throwing twono-hitters during his sophomore year.[2] Following the end of his sophomore year, he was selected by thePittsburgh Pirates in the 16th round of the2017 Major League Baseball draft.[3]
Stratton signed with the Pirates and made his professional debut with theBristol Pirates of theRookie-levelAppalachian League, going 0–2 with a 4.81 ERA and 38 strikeouts over 43 innings.[4] He spent the 2018 season with theWest Virginia Power of theSingle–ASouth Atlantic League with whom he appeared in 22 games (making twenty starts) and went 6–5 with a 4.16 ERA and 82 strikeouts over101+2⁄3 innings.[5] In 2019, he pitched for theBradenton Marauders of theHigh–AFlorida State League where he pitched 72 innings and compiled a 5–4 record and 4.25 ERA.[6] Stratton did not play a minor league game in 2020 due the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[7] Stratton began the 2021 season with theAltoona Curve of theDouble-A Northeast and was promoted to theIndianapolis Indians of theTriple-A East during the season.[8][9] Over 38 relief appearances between the two teams, he went 2–2 with a 2.39 ERA and seventy strikeouts over 49 innings.[10] After the season, he played in theDominican Winter League for theGigantes del Cibao.[11] He returned to the Indians for the 2022 season.[12] Over 46 relief appearances, he posted a 2–6 record with a 5.71 ERA and 82 strikeouts over 63 innings.[13]
Stratton returned to Triple–A Indianapolis in 2023. In 47 appearances, he registered a 4–4 record and 3.99 ERA with 74 strikeouts and 6saves in56+1⁄3 innings pitched.[14] On September 4, 2023, Stratton was selected to the40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[15] In 8 games for the Pirates during his debut campaign, he posted a respectable 2.25 ERA with 10 strikeouts across 12.0 innings of work. On November 17, Stratton was non-tendered and became a free agent.[16]
On December 8, 2023, Stratton re–signed with the Pirates organization on a minor league contract.[17] On March 25, 2024, the Pirates announced that Stratton's contract would be selected after he made theOpening Day roster.[18] In 36 appearances out of thebullpen, he compiled a 3.58 ERA with 33 strikeouts across37+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 24, Stratton suffered aruptured patellar tendon while attempting to cover home plate on a wild pitch that got pastJoey Bart. He was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the season and was placed on the 60–day injured list the following day.[19] On November 22, the Pirates non–tendered Stratton, making him a free agent.[20]
On December 2, 2024, Stratton re–signed with the Pirates on a minor league contract.[21] On March 22, 2025, the Pirates selected Stratton's contract after he made the team'sOpening Day roster.[22]
Stratton married his wife, Lakyn, in November 2019.[23] Their first child, Maverick, was born in March 2024.[24]
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