Hunter Bigge

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #19 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium.
  
  Track Record: For much of his college career, Bigge figured he would be working in finance right now. With a Harvard degree and an intelligent curiosity, he seemed a perfect fit for that world. But those same qualities impressed the Cubs enough for him to get picked in the 12th round in 2019. He tore his labrum in 2021, and was demoted back to Double-A in 2023. But his career took a massive leap forward in 2024. Once he made it back from a torn oblique, he showed a couple of more ticks of velocity, made his MLB debut with the Cubs and then became a regular in the Rays’ bullpen after being part of the Isaac Paredes trade.
  
  Scouting Report: As a starting pitcher/DH for Harvard, Bigge sat in the low 90s. In 2024, he sat at 97-98 mph and touched 100. That increased arm speed has been the key for Bigge turning into a big leaguer. He can get outs in the zone with his plus-plus four-seamer thanks to its velocity, life and flat plane. And he can dot the bottom of the zone with a plus slider that succeeds because of its power (it sits 88-90 mph). Bigge has steadily simplified his delivery to the point where he now has a very short arm action , but his background as a starter still shines through, as he’ll drop a bigger low-80s downer curveball that is partly effective as a change of pace. He has gotten to average control.
  
  The Future: Bigge finished the 2024 season as a valuable member of the Rays’ bullpen. There’s no reason to think he won’t continue that role going forward.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Control: 50.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #395 prospect in 2019 draft
  A two-way player at Harvard, Bigge's pro future is on the mound, where he has a fastball that's been up into the 94-96 mph range at its best this spring, with a breaking ball that has a chance to be average. While Bigge's stuff is solid, he's always been a bit too hittable on the mound at Harvard, allowing 109 hits over 103 career innings, including his first 10 starts this spring. He'll need to improve his control if he wants to survive at the next level, as his 34 walks in 59.2 innings this spring (5.13 per nine) is the best rate he's managed in the Ivy League. Bigge is likely a reliever at the next level.

• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  A two-way player at Harvard, Bigge's pro future is on the mound, where he has a fastball that's been up into the 94-96 mph range at its best this spring, with a breaking ball that has a chance to be average. While Bigge's stuff is solid, he's always been a bit too hittable on the mound at Harvard, allowing 109 hits over 103 career innings, including his first 10 starts this spring. He'll need to improve his control if he wants to survive at the next level, as his 34 walks in 59.2 innings this spring (5.13 per nine) is the best rate he's managed in the Ivy League. Bigge is likely a reliever at the next level.