Hunter Bigge

Hunter Bradford Bigge Bio

Hunter Bradford Bigge is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on June 12, 1998, in Los Gatos, California, Bigge has established himself as a promising right-handed reliever after beginning his professional journey with the Chicago Cubs organization. He made his MLB debut with the Cubs in July 2024 before being traded to Tampa Bay later that same season. Bigge attended Los Gatos High School in his hometown and continued his baseball and academic career at Harvard University, where he played for the Harvard Crimson. His professional career has been marked by steady progression through the minor leagues and a quick adaptation to major league competition.

Early Life and Background

Hunter Bradford Bigge grew up in Los Gatos, California, a city known for its strong youth baseball programs in the San Francisco Bay Area. He attended Los Gatos High School, where he developed into a notable high school pitcher. During his amateur career, Bigge played collegiate summer baseball for the Duluth Huskies in the Northwoods League, where his fastball reached 95 miles per hour. This impressive velocity caught the attention of professional scouts and laid the foundation for his future career.

Path to Professional Baseball

After graduating from Los Gatos High School, Bigge continued his academic and athletic journey at Harvard University, where he played for the Harvard Crimson baseball team. His combination of academic excellence and athletic ability positioned him well for professional baseball. The Chicago Cubs selected Bigge in the 12th round of the 2019 MLB Draft with the 372nd overall pick. Notably, he chose to sign with the Cubs rather than begin an internship with BlackRock, an investment management firm, demonstrating his commitment to pursuing a professional baseball career.

Hunter Bradford Bigge Career

Minor League Development (2019–2023)

Bigge began his professional career in 2019 with the rookie-level Arizona League Cubs and Low-A Eugene Emeralds. He made an immediate impact, logging a remarkable 1.13 ERA with 22 strikeouts in just 9 games. However, the 2020 minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting Bigge to work for a financial startup during the shutdown. He returned to action in 2021 with High-A South Bend, where he posted a 5.66 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 17 appearances, though he missed significant time due to a torn labrum.

In 2022, Bigge split the season between South Bend and Double-A Tennessee, emerging as a reliable bullpen arm. He compiled a 7-2 record with a 5.26 ERA, 70 strikeouts, and 10 saves across 41 games. The following year, he advanced to play for Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa, recording a 4.50 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 42 relief appearances. This strong performance positioned him for his MLB opportunity.

Chicago Cubs Breakthrough (2024)

Bigge began the 2024 season with Triple-A Iowa, continuing to refine his craft in the minors. On July 7, 2024, the Cubs selected him to the 40-man roster and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut on July 9, 2024, and quickly demonstrated his readiness for the highest level by recording a 2.70 ERA with 5 strikeouts in 4 games before the trade.

Tampa Bay Rays Era (2024–Present)

On July 28, 2024, the Cubs traded Bigge to the Tampa Bay Rays as part of a package that included Christopher Morel and Ty Johnson in exchange for Isaac Paredes. Joining the Rays mid-season, Bigge made an immediate impact in their bullpen. In 15 appearances down the stretch, he compiled a 2.57 ERA with 19 strikeouts and recorded his first major league save across 14 innings pitched.

Bigge was initially optioned to Triple-A Durham Bulls to begin the 2025 season. However, following an injury to starting pitcher Shane McClanahan, the Rays added Bigge to their Opening Day roster. In 13 appearances for the Rays that season, he recorded a 2.40 ERA with 12 strikeouts over 15 innings of work, continuing to establish himself as a reliable option out of the bullpen. Following the 2026 season, Bigge was optioned back to Triple-A Durham to begin the year.

Notable Events and Milestones

On June 19, 2025, Bigge suffered a significant injury when he was hit in the face by a 105-mile-per-hour line drive foul ball off the bat of Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman. He did not lose consciousness but was carted off the field for medical attention. Bigge required emergency surgery to repair multiple facial fractures, a scary moment that highlighted the inherent risks of professional baseball. His recovery and return demonstrated his resilience and determination.

Hunter Bradford Bigge Career Statistics

Through May 29, 2026, Bigge has appeared in 32 major league games across his career with the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays, demonstrating consistent performance at the highest level of professional baseball.

Family and Personal Life

Little detailed information about Hunter Bigge’s family background has been made publicly available. Bigge’s educational path reflects both his athletic ambition and intellectual pursuits, having chosen Harvard University over traditional investment banking career paths. He remains focused on his baseball career while residing in the Tampa Bay area during the baseball season.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a significant chapter in Bigge’s young career. After beginning the year with Triple-A Durham, he earned a spot on the Rays’ Opening Day roster due to an injury to Shane McClanahan. He appeared in 13 games for Tampa Bay, recording a 2.40 ERA with 12 strikeouts over 15 innings pitched. His consistency as a reliever continued to build his reputation within the organization. The season took a dramatic turn on June 19, 2025, when a line drive struck him in the face during a game against the Baltimore Orioles. Despite the severity of the injury requiring emergency surgery for multiple facial fractures, Bigge showed tremendous courage throughout his recovery. The Rays maintained confidence in his abilities, and his eventual return to the mound remains a testament to his resilience and work ethic.