On December 13, 2023, it was announced that right-handed pitcher and former Oriole Tommy Hunter has officially retired from MLB.
Hunter played professionally from 2008 to 2023 and spent multiple years with the Orioles. Hunter’s career started at the University of Alabama, after he decided to forego being drafted by Tampa Bay in the 18th round of the 2005 MLB Draft.
During his freshman year, Hunter was the top starting pitcher for Alabama behind another former Oriole in Wade LeBlanc. That year, Hunter had a 10-3 record and carried a 3.30 ERA in 117.1 innings. In his sophomore year, he took a small step back, only pitching 107 innings and having a 3.87 ERA.
A fun fact about that Alabama team: Hunter was teammates with current Bowie Baysox manager, Kyle Moore.
Hunter would be selected by the Texas Rangers in the 2007 draft with the 54th overall pick in the first round. He would make his debut just one year later on August 1, in a 9-8 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Hunter would get the start and give up six earned runs in five innings, finishing with a no decision.
Hunter would pitch with the Rangers for 53 games, starting 44 of them, and have a 23-13 record with a 4.36 ERA in 266.1 innings. He would strike out 151 batters and only walk 74 batters before being traded at the 2011 deadline along with Chris Davis to the Orioles in exchange for right-hander Koji Uehara.
Hunter would make his Orioles debut on August 2, 2011, in an 8-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals, when he would receive a hold in a one-inning, one-run performance. He would finish the season with a 4.68 ERA overall and a 5.06 ERA with the Orioles and would have one more year of struggle in 2012 before really showing his true first overall potential.
The 2013 and 2014 seasons were Hunter’s best years with Baltimore. The Indiana native would pitch in 128 games and carry an ERA of 2.88 in 147 innings pitched between the two years. The best part about Hunter’s game at this time was his plus control, as he struck out 113 batters and only walked 26. He would also hold batters to a .232 batting average and have 33 holds.
The now-37-year-old would eventually be dealt at the 2015 deadline to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Junior Lake. Hunter’s career just wouldn’t be the same after his time in Baltimore, as he would bounce around, pitching for the Cleveland Guardians, the Orioles again, Tampa Bay Rays, Philidelphia Phillies and most recently, the New York Mets.
In total, Hunter finished his career with a 56-47 record, 4.07 ERA and 1.241 WHIP, collecting 639 strikeouts to 208 walks.
We wish Tommy Hunter all the best in his retirement and thank him for everything he did for the Orioles organization. Congratulations on a great career, Tommy!
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