Hunter Bigge #43

Hunter is a graduate of Harvard University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in physics with a minor in computer science…during his time as an Ivy Leaguer, he spent countless hours in research labs with classmates trying to find an efficient way to get CRISPR-Cas9, a gene-editing protein, into heart valve cells…despite leaving Harvard following his junior season after the Cubs drafted him, he has since returned to school and obtained his degree...Hunter, a former two-way player who hit seven home runs in his final collegiate season, is one of two Harvard products in the Majors along with Reds left-hander Brent Suter…he is the second former Crimson to play for the Rays, joining right-hander Sean Poppen (2021)...Pitching coach Kyle Snyder calls Hunter a true student of the game, saying he often “dumbs it down for me” when reviewing pitching data...Hunter and his wife, Casey, were married over the offseason in Philadelphia...Hunter had to forgo multiple non-baseball opportunities to pursue a chance to play in the majors…he was set to begin an internship at BlackRock, a financial institution in California, following his junior year at Harvard; however, he was drafted by the Cubs the day before his scheduled start date…during the COVID canceled 2020 Minor League season, he was one of the first seven employees hired at a tech startup called Column, which builds technology to improve the public notice process for local media, government officials and legal service professionals…Casey is now employed there… Hunter plans to return to the tech industry following his baseball career. Selected by the Cubs in the 12th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Harvard University.

2024

Made 19 appearances (1GS) between the Rays (15G) and Cubs (4G), posting a 2.60 ERA (17.1IP, 5ER) with 24 strikeouts against five walks in his first career major league action...Acquired from the Cubs along with INF Christopher Morel and RHP Ty Johnson on July 28 in exchange for INF Isaac Paredes…had two stints with the Rays (July 30–Aug. 8 & Aug. 31–end of season)...Made his MLB debut on July 9 at BAL, tossing a scoreless ninth inning…punched out Ryan O’Hearn looking for his first career strikeout...From July 13–Sept. 10, recorded a 10.2 scoreless inning streak, fanning 14 batters against two walks over a combined 11 outings for the Cubs and Rays...Debuted for Tampa Bay on July 30 vs. MIA, tossing a scoreless ninth frame…topped out at 100 mph on his fastball, joining Taj Bradley (2x) as the only Rays to reach a triple-digit velocity in 2024...On Aug. 4 at HOU, made his first career start, serving as an opener for Tyler Alexander...On Sept. 20 vs. TOR, earned his first career save, tallying 2 SO…joined Edwin Uceta, who accomplished the feat exactly one month earlier (Aug. 20 at OAK), as the only pitchers in Rays history to earn their first career save in a 1-0 win...Began the season on Triple-A Iowa’s injured list (left oblique strain) before rejoining the club on June 4…in 20 Triple-A appearances between Iowa and Durham, went 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA (20 IP, 5ER), 36 SO and eight saves...Following the season, Baseball America tabbed him as having the Best Slider in the Rays organization.