Bowie, MD (August 3, 2026) – Minor League Baseball announced today that Baysox left-handed starter Caden Hunter was awarded Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors for the week of July 28 – August 2, 2026.
Hunter went seven, shutout innings in his Double-A debut on Wednesday afternoon in Altoona against the Curve, the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He allowed just one hit – a two-out single in the seventh to Altoona’s Lonnie White Jr. – while walking just two and matching a professional career-high with 10 strikeouts.
Hunter was perfect through his first four innings, striking out five, including the side in the third. His fifth inning began with consecutive four-pitch walks. However, he bounced back and retired nine of the final 10 hitters he faced, with the base hit being the lone exception. Hunter threw 89 pitches, 61 of which were strikes.
Hunter enjoyed the joint-longest start of any Eastern League pitcher last week, while also tallying the most strikeouts in a start by any league arm last week.
Hunter is the Orioles current No. 11 prospect, via MLB.com. He was promoted to Double-A Chesapeake on Tuesday. He began his professional career this year with Single-A Delmarva. He made six appearances (five starts) with the Shorebirds, before being promoted to High-A Frederick on May 26. He pitched 10 times and made nine starts for the Keys prior to getting the bump to Double-A. Across the three levels this season, Hunter has gone 4-1 with a 1.32 ERA. He’s struck out 112 batters to just 33 walks in 75 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting just .149 against Hunter. He ranks second among all Orioles minor leaguers in strikeouts.
Hunter was drafted by the Orioles in the sixth round of last year’s MLB Draft out of the University of Southern California (USC). He began his college career with two seasons at Sierra Junior College, before transferring to USC for his final collegiate season.
Hunter is the third Baysox player to take home Eastern League Pitcher of the Week this season. Left-hander Luis De León was given the honor on July 13 and right-hander Trace Bright was named the league’s Pitcher of the Week on April 27. Both Bright and De León have since been promoted to Triple-A Norfolk.
Baysox fans can see Hunter make his Prince George’s Stadium debut this week. Hunter is the probable Chesapeake start for the series opener between the Baysox and the Harrisburg Senators, the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Chesapeake and Harrisburg kick off a seven-game, weeklong series on Tuesday night at 6:35 pm.
Single-game tickets, ticket plans, and group offers for the 2026 season are currently on sale. For more information on the Baysox schedule, tickets, and the latest team news, fans can call 301.805.6000, visit Baysox.com, or follow the team on Facebook, X, and Instagram.