This winter, RHP Tristan Hunter (Forsyth, 2024) came away as one of the bigger winners from our February circuit. The 6-foot-2, 178-pound right-hander put together a loud 'pen at the A's Scout Day, pitching at 91-93 mph with a true running fastball, while flashing feel for a curveball and changeup mix.

From 3/4/23: "...with lean strength and physical projection left, Hunter’s moves down the mound well and doesn’t exert much effort as a result, holding 91-93 mph throughout his ‘pen with hard horizontal action at times. He threw a changeup with ‘out-pitch’ potential at 77-81 mph, killing spin and lift with 17+ inches of run on average. Still fully developing his slider, Hunter flashed advanced raw spin on it, reaching nearly 2500 RPM with almost 15 inches of horizontal at 77-80 mph. Hunter left this event with an arrow-up, and he’s a premier arm in Missouri."

Recently, our staff spoke with Hunter on why he chose the Wildcats, his expecations on the recruiting process as a whole, his most memorable baseball moment, and more. You can find our full chat below.

OUR Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Hunter: My expectations about the recruiting process was to go to the highest level of college baseball I could go too. In a program I was looking for a coaching staff that I could trust and were winners. Also I was looking for a place where I could grow a a person and player. 

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Hunter: No.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

Hunter: The recruiting process really started to pick up early to mid junior summer. The first place Kentucky saw me play was in Hoover, Alabama.

PBR: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Hunter: The things I like the most about Kentucky is the coaching staff and the facilities. The key decisions to me going with Kentucky was the staff and it felt like a place were I could grow as a player and a person. 

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Hunter: Mizzou and Wichita State.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

Hunter: The toughest player I’ve ever played against was 3B Curry Sutherland (Logan-Rogersville, 2023; Missouri State), although I never got to pitch against him.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

Hunter: The point I realized I could go to the next level was my freshman year in high school and I started taking it serious when I was eight and started playing travel baseball. 

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Hunter: The advice I would give to younger players is keep things simple. The game is hard enough, give 110% everyday, and don’t listen to the naysayers. 

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Hunter: The most memorable moment in my baseball career is not just one moment but growing up me and my dad would hit in the batting cage together or play catch and that’s what I would say is my most memorable moments. 

PBR: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

Hunter: I believe we’re going to have a good season and be tough to beat because of our age and we plan go deep into the postseason.

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