Northwest Wayne News

Wayne State University has seen only three of its baseball players reach Major League Baseball (MLB), with Hunter Brown now joining that select group. Drafted in 2019, Brown's journey to the big leagues reflects his dedication and perseverance. Reflecting on his college experience, Brown stated, "It's definitely a brotherhood … I'm glad I chose Wayne State over a couple of other options I had."

Brown's achievements at Wayne State included a 14-3 record and an .823 winning percentage, setting a school record. He also recorded 114 strikeouts in 2019, marking the second-highest single-season total in the program's history. Off the field, Brown excelled academically, maintaining a 3.6 GPA during his time at Wayne State and achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA in the semester he was drafted. Ryan Kelley, head coach of the Wayne State baseball team, noted that "some people might just focus on their sport. He didn't." Kelley emphasized the importance of excelling academically as part of Wayne State's baseball culture.

Brown's path wasn't without challenges. Coach Kelley described it as "a maturation process" involving athletic, academic, and personal growth. Assistant Coach Aaron Hepner recalled a turning point during Brown's sophomore year when he struggled on the field with "16 innings and zero strikeouts at the division II level." After moving to the bullpen, Brown improved significantly, finishing with 32 innings and 32 strikeouts.

Following his successful stint at Wayne State in 2019, Brown was picked by the Houston Astros as the 166th overall selection in the fifth round. Over three years in the Minor Leagues with teams like Sugar Land Skeeters and Corpus Christi Hooks, travel posed one of his major challenges: "Showing up to a new city every three or four days for 162 games can be a challenge."

Brown debuted in MLB on September 5, 2022. Describing this experience as "calm," he said: "I felt like I had debuted so many times in my head prior to my actual debut." The Astros won that game and later secured victory in the World Series that year. The following season saw Brown playing regularly for Houston.

Balancing personal life with professional demands has been one of Brown's biggest challenges since joining MLB: "When you are struggling or when you are doing well, it can kind of creep into your personal life and relationships." Media interactions also present challenges: "As a major league baseball player... there's media that you have to deal with."

Having achieved one of his primary goals by winning a World Series, Brown now aims for another championship win while aspiring to reach ten years of service time in MLB—a milestone few achieve.

Despite his success at MLB level, Brown fondly remembers his time at Wayne State University. His advice to current athletes there is to "enjoy the moment" and remain present through all experiences.