Brian Hunter (outfielder)

Infobox MLB retired
name=Brian Hunter
position=Outfielder


bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1971|3|25
Portland, Oregon
deathdate=
debutdate=June 27
debutyear=by|1994
debutteam=Houston Astros
finaldate=July 24
finalyear=by|2003
finalteam=Houston Astros
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.264
stat2label=Hits
stat2value=882
stat3label=Stolen bases
stat3value=260
teams=
* Houston Astros (by|1994-by|1996, by|2002-by|2003)
* Detroit Tigers (by|1997-by|1999)
* Seattle Mariners (by|1999)
* Colorado Rockies (by|2000)
* Cincinnati Reds (by|2000)
* Philadelphia Phillies (by|2001)
highlights=
* Led AL in stolen bases in 1997 and 1999

Brian Lee Hunter (born March 5 1971 in Portland, Oregon) is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball. He played at 6'3" and around 180 lbs.

Minor league career

Hunter, who threw and batted right-handed, was drafted out of Fort Vancouver High School (Vancouver, Washington) by the Houston Astros in the 2nd round (35th Overall) of the by|1989 amateur draft. Hunter spent a little over five and a half seasons in the minor leagues. He begin his pro career with the Gulf Coast League Astros in 1989. Hunter then went on to spend the next three seasons in class A playing for the Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League in 1990 and then the Osceola Astros of the Florida State League for two seasons 1991-1992. After a season in Class AA with the Jackson Generals of the Texas League, Hunter moved up to Class AAA and played part of the season with the Pacific Coast League's Tucson Toros in 1994.

Major league career

Hunter made his major league debut for the Astros on June 27, by|1994 against the Cincinnati Reds. In five at bats he contributed with one hit, and stole his first base in this game. He played with Houston through the 1996 season. On December 10 of that year he was traded along with Orlando Miller, Todd Jones and Doug Brocail, as well as cash, to the Detroit Tigers for Daryle Ward, C.J. Nitkowski, Trever Miller, Jose Lima and Brad Ausmus. He played for Detroit from by|1997-by|1999. On April 28, during the 1999 season he was traded to the Seattle Mariners for Jerry Amador and Andy Van Hekken. On March 27, by|2000 he was released by the Mariners, and four days later he signed with the Colorado Rockies who traded him on August 6 for Robert Averette from the Reds. On November 27 he was released by the Reds, and on January 10, by|2001 Hunter signed with the Philadelphia Phillies who in turn granted him free agency on November 5, which allowed him to play by|2002-03 and finish his career where it began, with the Astros, where he retired.

Lucas Hunter is his son and is a highly recruited freshman in the state of Oregon.With blazing speed, a strong bat, and a glove in the field to make him a great player. Ranked 2nd in the northwest, Hunter is graceful, and fierce when he plays. The 14 year old lives in Portland, Oregon, and goes to Central Catholic High School. He plans on making varsity as a freshman.

ee also

* List of Major League Baseball stolen base champions

External links

*baseball-reference|id=h/huntebr02