Hunt spent four seasons at Mississippi State but never cracked the Bulldogs’ rotation. He chose not to sign with the Pirates as 12th-rounder in 2022, only to post an 8.54 ERA with 55 strikeouts and 33 walks in 39 innings the following spring. He headed to the Cape Cod League for the summer of 2023 and served as Falmouth’s closer with much better control, leading to him signing with the Brewers as a nondrafted free agent in July. Originally a Single-A Carolina multi-inning reliever to begin 2024, Hunt became a dominant starter for High-A Wisconsin with a 2.15 ERA, 68 strikeouts and 12 walks in 50 1/3 innings before his promotion to Double-A Biloxi in early August.
The 6-foot-3 right-hander won’t wow with his fastball velocity, typically sitting 92-93 mph. Hunt needs the heater to play at the top of the zone because its best attribute might be how it sets up his 83-86 mph slider, a tight breaker with significant drop that routinely has batters shaking their heads. He’ll also work in a 79-82 mph curveball that can be a loopier breaking option and a firm changeup in the upper-80s that hitters have to at least consider.
Hunt went from having a real problem with walks in college to being a downright control artist in pro ball. His true ability likely lies somewhere between the two -- a pitcher who can throw strikes but will run into some issues when better hitters lay off the sliders outside the zone. He’s already a scouting and development win for Milwaukee and could be a No. 5 starter if he continues along this trajectory.
