Big Dreams For Small-Town Baseball Standout Hunsaker

ALMONT - An incoming-senior at Almont High School, Brandon Hunsaker has large dreams.

“I’m a small guy from a small town, but I want to be a big name to be heard,” Hunsaker said.

Word is getting out, with a number of colleges showing interest in the potential two-way player.

“I’m talking with Central Michigan, Kalamazoo, Toledo, Akron, Oakland, SVSU and Grand Valley,” Hunsaker related. “They like my hitting approach and how I attack the ball. They like my power as well and my ability to hit the gaps. I also have a strong arm. As a pitcher I can come in and shut things down.”

Where his future lies is an uncertainty in the eyes of the 27th-rated 2022 in the state.

“Some want me as a two-way like SVSU and Grand Valley and others one way like Oakland and CMU,” Hunsaker pointed out. “I have to figure out what I want. I’m up for anything to help the team. I like playing in the field and hitting, but I like pitching a lot. If I can pitch and hit at the same time, I’m okay with that.”

Improvement has helped the cause for the 12th-ranked 2022 right-handed pitcher in Michigan, who plays third base when not on the mound.

“I’ve tuned into the details of hitting and pitching,” Hunsaker noted. “My foot work is better and that’s helped me improve in the infield. It’s also helped my 60 time.

“Arm bands and long toss have helped my pitching,” Hunsaker continued. “I’m up three miles an hour with my fastball and four miles an hour across the field at third.”

It was in seventh grade when Hunsaker’s eyes opened to the possibility of playing at the next level.

“I knew I wanted to play baseball when I was younger but I didn’t know how far,” Hunsaker explained. “In seventh grade I started watching college baseball and that’s when I got a love for it. Since then I’ve wanted to see what it’s like to be a student and an athlete.”

The 6-1 195-pounder, a 3.35 student considering a major in accounting or physical therapy, believes he can be an asset to a college program.

“I’ll bring a lot of positivity, hard work and dedication,” noted the fifth-rated uncommitted 2022 in Michigan. “I’m a guy who gives 110 percent. I like to put the extra work in after practice, talking to the coaches, talking game planning and being a great teammate.”

That comes in part from his love for the game.

“The action, the noise, the fans, the coaching, nutritional programs, workout programs, I’m intrigued by it all,” Hunsaker said in reference to what he likes about college baseball.

Devon Conklin with the Motor City Hit Dogs and Mike Makki with DBacks Elite are “people who have helped me with exposure,” according to Hunsaker while Rob Fay with DBacks Elite has “helped me with my pitching mechanics and getting more velocity pitching and across the field,” and coach Eddie Dewalt with Arsenal has “helped me with my fielding and smoother hands “

Hunsaker also pointed to the benefits of PBR, which in May listed the just-turned 18-year-old among the “Upside 2022s” after touching 89 with his fastball.

“It’s been awesome,” Hunsaker said of PBR. “My first one I was nervous, but I learned by watching others and how they approached it. After that, I came up with my own game plan. My experience with it has been awesome. I like seeing all the talent and how they all continue to grow.”

That is what Hunsaker continues to work on in his quest to find a college home.

“I’m working on developing and getting bigger,” Hunsaker said. “I’d like to talk to more colleges and get to be known better.

“I’d like to commit by January before high school season but if not, I’m comfortable with waiting until after the season.”

There is no preference at this point in time, only the desire to keep playing the sport he loves after graduating high school.

“I just want to go get a good education and play baseball, whether it’s a small D-III school or a big D-I school,” Hunsaker concluded.