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Baseball is unpredictable. One minute, you’re a high school catcher in New Jersey. The next, you’re a first-round draft pick. Somewhere in between, you lose your confidence, fight to get it back, and find a new way to love the game.

That’s the story of Shooter Hunt.

On this week’s And That’s The Game podcast, hosted by Wayne Mazzoni and presented by ProBatter Sports, Shooter takes us through the highs, the lows, and the unexpected twists of his baseball life.

A Name That Stood Out

It’s not every day you meet a guy named Shooter. Turns out, it wasn’t even his real name. His dad, a fan of the movie Hoosiers, pushed for it from birth. His mom? Not convinced. But by the time he was old enough to throw a baseball, “Shooter” had stuck.

It was a fitting name for a kid who had a cannon for an arm. Initially, he was a catcher, but once scouts saw him pitch, everything changed. His fastball had life. His presence on the mound was undeniable. Suddenly, he wasn’t a catcher who could pitch—he was a pitcher who used to catch.

The College Detour That Changed Everything

Hunt’s first stop in college baseball was at the University of Virginia, but it didn’t take long to realize it wasn’t the right fit. After a year, he transferred to Tulane, where his career really took off.

The transition wasn’t just about baseball—it was about learning, adapting, and proving himself. He dominated in the Cape Cod League, striking out some of the best hitters in college baseball. By his sophomore year, scouts were locked in. He was on the radar as a top MLB prospect, a potential first-round pick.

Then came the draft.

A Rough Draft Day and the Battle That Followed

Hunt expected to go early. The projections had him in the first half of the first round. But as pick after pick passed, frustration crept in. Finally, the Minnesota Twins called his name—later than expected, but still in the first round.

That moment should have been a celebration. Instead, it felt like a challenge. He had something to prove.

But his journey took a turn for the worse. He developed the yips—a nightmare for any pitcher. Suddenly, the ball wouldn’t go where he wanted it to. No mechanical fix, no easy solution. It became a mental battle, one that stretched over years.

By the time his playing career ended, it wasn’t by choice. Baseball had forced his hand.

Finding a New Role in the Game

Hunt could have walked away. Instead, he found a new way to stay in the sport. He returned to Tulane as a coach, helping young pitchers develop their skills. That experience led him to Prep Baseball Report (PBR), where he now serves as Vice President of Scouting.

His mission? Identifying talent. Helping overlooked players get noticed. Guiding young athletes through a system that’s more complex than ever.

Baseball didn’t give him the career he once imagined—but it gave him a new purpose.

Now, instead of playing the game, he’s shaping its future.

Advice for Young Players

The game is changing. Recruiting is shifting. The landscape looks different than it did when Shooter was coming up.

So, what should players do today?

1. Focus on getting better. Don’t chase exposure. Chase improvement.
2. Don’t get stuck on D1. Great baseball exists at every level.
3. Put yourself out there. Coaches aren’t going to magically find you. Make it easy for them.
4. Find the right fit. Not every school is for you. Go where you’ll develop.

Baseball isn’t just about talent. It’s about finding the right path. Shooter found his. Now, he’s helping the next generation find theirs.

Listen to the Full Episode

Shooter’s story is proof that baseball never goes the way you expect. From catching to pitching. From first-round pick to the yips. From coaching to scouting. It’s a journey of resilience, reinvention, and staying connected to the game.

Want to hear the full conversation? Check out And That’s The Game podcast, presented by ProBatter Sports.

Because baseball is never just about what happens on the field. It’s about the people who never stop loving it.