Tommy Hunter (baseball)

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Tommy Hunter
Tommy Hunter on August 10, 2011.jpg
Hunter with the Baltimore Orioles
Free agent
Relief Pitcher
Born: (1986-07-03) July 3, 1986 (age 37)
Indianapolis, Indiana
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 1, 2008, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
(through 2015 season)
Win–loss record 46–33
Earned run average 4.31
Strikeouts 423
Saves 16
Teams
Medal record
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
World University Championship
Gold medal – first place 2006 Havana National team

Raymond Thomas "Tommy" Hunter (born July 3, 1986) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs.

Amateur career

Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Hunter attended Cathedral High School, and then the University of Alabama. At Alabama, Hunter was an All-American in his freshman season, during which the team won the 2006 SEC Championship.[1]

Major league career

Texas Rangers

Hunter with Texas Rangers

Hunter was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the supplemental first round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft out of the University of Alabama. The Rangers were awarded a compensatory pick when Mark DeRosa left to go to the Chicago Cubs in free agency.

Hunter made his major league debut on August 1, 2008, taking on the Toronto Blue Jays. In 5 innings, he gave up 6 runs on 8 hits, walking two and striking out four batters. He recorded his first MLB win on July 3, 2009 against the Tampa Bay Rays, going 5.1 innings of 1 run 5 K ball. He recorded his first Major League complete game on September 13, 2009 against the Seattle Mariners. On October 3, 2009 Hunter gave up Ken Griffey Jr's 630th career home run.

Hunter made his 2010 season debut on June 5, pitching a complete game win against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was 13–4 for the season, with a 3.73 ERA. Hunter started Game 4 of the ALCS vs the Yankees.

Baltimore Orioles

On July 30, 2011, the Rangers traded Hunter and first baseman Chris Davis to the Baltimore Orioles for reliever Koji Uehara. In the 2012 season, Hunter has posted a 7–8 record. He was a starter for a while, but was optioned to Triple A Norfolk. He was placed in the bullpen as a reliever.[2] As a reliever Hunter's fastball averaged 96 MPH over the month of September, and topped out at 100 MPH, after averaging 91-92 MPH for his career.[3]

After former closer Jim Johnson was traded to the Oakland Athletics, Hunter was named the new Orioles closer for the 2014 season.

Hunter did start the 2014 season as the Orioles closer and was successful in 11 of his 12 save opportunities, but he blew 2 consecutive saves on May 10 and 13 and then was placed on the 15 day disabled list.[4] When he returned, he continued to work out of the bullpen, but not as the closer. He agreed to a one year deal worth $4.65 million in January 2015, avoiding arbitration.[5]

Chicago Cubs

On July 31, 2015, Hunter was traded to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Junior Lake.[6][7]

References

External links