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 year after the Cubs drafted him, he has since returned to school and obtained his degree...He 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, but 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…Hunter plans to return to the tech industry following his baseball career...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)...He is an avid chess player and frequently plays against teammates in the Rays clubhouse...Hunter and his wife, Casey, were married in October 2024 in Philadelphia. Selected by the Cubs in the 12th round (372nd overall) of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Harvard University...In three collegiate seasons, went 7-2 with a 4.37 ERA (119.1IP, 58ER) in 30 career appearances (16 starts)…also appeared in 91 games as a hitter, batting .293 (88-for-300) with 16 2B, one 3B, 11 HR and 56 RBI…as a junior in 2019, was named All-Ivy League First Team as designated hitter and earned Second Team recognition as a starting pitcher.

2025

Made his first Opening Day roster in his second season in the big leagues, but was limited to 13 games due to injuries…placed on the 15-day IL with a right lat strain May 6…while on the injured list, was struck in the face by 105.1-mph foul ball on June 19 vs. BAL while in the Rays dugout, resulting in multiple facial fractures that required surgery…was transferred to the 60-day IL July 17 and missed the remainder of the season...Posted a 2.40 ERA (15.0 IP, four ER) in his 13 relief appearances…all four runs against him came on solo homers...Spun six straight scoreless outings (7.0IP) across his final six outings from April 18–May 1, the second-longest streak of his career (11 games, July 13 [G1]–Sept. 10, 2024)...Retired the first 11 batters he faced to begin the season with 4 SO…between MLB Opening Day on March 18 (Tokyo Series) and April 9, was one of six pitchers in the majors with no hits allowed (min. 10 AB)...Held opponents hitless in eight PA (0-for-5) with runners in scoring position...Generated a 41.2 percent whiff rate on his slider, holding opponents to 4-for-23 (.174) with eight of his 12 SO coming against the pitch... Pitched for Aguilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican Winter League following the season, going 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA (8.0 IP, three ER) with 11 SO against three BB and three saves over eight appearances, finishing seven games on the mound…Rays bullpen coach Jorge Moncada was the club’s pitching coach.

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.