Quick Facts
Biography
Raymond Thomas Hunter (born July 3, 1986) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles.
Amateur career
Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Hunter attended Cathedral High School, and then the University of Alabama. At Alabama, Hunter played for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was an All-American in his freshman season, during which the team won the 2006 Southeastern Conference Championship.
Major league career
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 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. 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.
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. 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.
Chicago Cubs
On July 31, 2015, Hunter was traded to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Junior Lake.
Cleveland Indians
Hunter signed a one-year contract worth $2 million with the Cleveland Indians on February 12, 2016. He was placed on the disabled list on July 17 after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his back following a fall at his home. On August 25, Hunter was released.
Second stint with the Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles signed Hunter on August 28, 2016.