From Reliever to Professional Baseball Player - Hunter Stanley

By Brianna Walker, Athletic Communications Intern
(Editor's Note: Stanley signed with Cleveland over the weekend)

From reliever to professional baseball player, right-handed pitcher Hunter Stanley etched his name into the 2021 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Wednesday, July 13th, when selected in the 11th round (Pick No. 336) by the Cleveland Indians.

#Indians have officially signed 2021 11th Round Pick 23yr old RHP Hunter Stanley out of the University of Southern Mississippi. pic.twitter.com/Yc52EHReX3
— Indians Prospective (@indiansPro) July 24, 2021

The road to the major leagues for the Hammond, Louisiana native, was a decorated one. Coming from Meridian Community College, he began his career as a reliever but concluded his collegiate career as the Friday starter collecting praise and recognition of notable associations. The accolades rendered from his performances were consecutive All-American nods by Collegiate Baseball, League Coaches All-Conference USA, two-time C-USA Pitcher of the Week, Collegiate Baseball Player of the Week, All-Conference USA 1st team, C-USA All-Tournament team, American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-South Region first team, and a third-team All-American acknowledgment by both the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings and D1Baseball.com.

Stanley's first season as a Golden Eagle resulted in a team-high of 29 relief appearances where he did not allow a single run over nine games. In his debut as a reliever, he pitched a scoreless 1 2/3 stint inning to defeat Purdue University. Stanley also put up another record statistic by striking out a season-high five batters over three innings in a victory against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Following Stanley's junior year, he further progressed in his role as a reliever receiving the recognition of Collegiate Baseball and being named third-team All-American. During the Golden Eagles' 2020 campaign, Stanley appeared in eight games, winning two and saving three others. He struck out 22 and walked only one within his eight-game appearances, creating a season-high fanning six in a victory against the University of New Orleans.

Stanley's first two years with the Golden Eagles prepared him for the opportunity that presented itself while he remained on the team as a COVID-senior this past season; Stanley took on the new role as the Friday starting pitcher. Stanley made his starting debut on opening day with a victory over Northwestern State University, where he allowed a lone hit and struck out 13. Stanley's ability to perform when appointed dominantly will aid in his success on the biggest stage in baseball. Stanley showcased his strikeout power and game dictating ability during his first complete game against Western Kentucky University, resulting in an eighth-inning 11-1 victory. Stanley's strikeout capability was also thoroughly demonstrated in his final season with the Golden Eagles. He fanned a career-high 16, which currently holds the fourth most strikeouts in a game in school history and is currently ranked 14th in the nation for strikeouts with 127, which ranks No. 6 in the University of Southern Mississippi's single-season chart.

Starting as a two-year reliever to a decorated Friday starter, Stanley embarks on the next stage of his baseball career path toward becoming a Major League Baseball player. His ability to perform when vital and dominate the game like a true competitor will be essential to his success with the Cleveland Indians.

University of Southern Mississippi Athletics

From Reliever to Professional Baseball Player - Hunter Stanley

Players Mentioned

Hunter Stanley

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