Blake Hunt – Baltimore Orioles Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Blake Hunt has been turning heads in professional baseball since the Padres drafted him in 2017. Born November 10, 1998, in Costa Mesa, California, Hunt started his journey when the San Diego Padres picked him 69th overall in the 2017 MLB Draft and signed him for $1.6 million.

He attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana before jumping into the pro ranks.

Blake Hunt’s net worth sits around $1.6 million, thanks mainly to his signing bonus and steady progress in the minors. Recently, he joined the Seattle Mariners on a one-year contract after a trade from the Baltimore Orioles.

Hunt has bounced through several organizations, showing his value as a catching prospect. He started with the Padres, moved to the Rays, and now finds himself with the Mariners.

This movement seems to highlight how teams see his upside. Still, some fans think he fits the mold of a journeyman catcher who might not break into the majors right away.

Early Life and Background

Blake Hunt’s journey to pro baseball really started with his family’s support and a solid education. His early years shaped his work ethic and set the stage for what was ahead.

Family and Personal History

Blake Evan Hunt was born on November 10, 1998, in the United States. He grew up in a supportive family and found his love for baseball pretty early.

His parents noticed his athletic talent and encouraged him to chase sports. The Hunt family made plenty of sacrifices—traveling long distances for tournaments and practices.

That kind of dedication really helped him grow as an athlete. Blake’s upbringing taught him the value of hard work and perseverance.

These traits have stuck with him as he’s faced the ups and downs of pro baseball. Even now, his family remains a big part of his support system.

Education and Amateur Baseball Career

Hunt attended Mater Dei High School, where he quickly stood out on the baseball team. During high school, he developed the skills that got scouts’ attention.

As a catcher, Hunt flashed great defensive instincts and a strong arm. He also showed some pop at the plate, making him a well-rounded prospect.

His performance earned him recognition as one of the top high school catchers in his area. In 2017, the San Diego Padres picked him in the second round (69th overall) of the MLB Draft.

That moment pretty much validated all his hard work and set him on the path to pro ball.

Community Involvement and Outreach

Even as a young player, Hunt has tried to give back to the communities that supported him. He’s helped out at youth baseball clinics, passing on what he’s learned to kids coming up behind him.

Hunt knows how important it is to be a positive role model for younger players. He’s made appearances at schools and community events, always talking about the need to balance school and sports.

His community outreach shows he understands that athletes can make a difference off the field too. These efforts say a lot about his character.

As he tries to carve out a role with the Seattle Mariners, Hunt still stays connected to his roots through these local initiatives.

Professional Baseball Career

Blake Hunt’s pro baseball journey has taken him through several organizations. He started as a top draft pick and has developed into a solid catcher in the MLB system.

His path has included stints with the Padres, Rays, and Braves before he landed with the Mariners.

Draft and Prospect Status

The San Diego Padres picked Hunt with the 69th overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. He signed for a hefty $1.6 million bonus, which showed the Padres believed in his upside.

Standing 6’4″ and weighing 215 pounds, Hunt quickly made a name for himself as a defense-first catcher with some offensive tools. Scouts especially liked his arm strength and receiving skills.

He climbed the prospect rankings in his first few years. His size, glove work, and potential at the plate made him a project worth watching in the Padres’ system.

San Diego Padres Era

Hunt started his pro career in the Padres’ minor league system and worked his way up. He focused on sharpening his defense and learning to handle pro pitching.

He made steady progress behind the plate. His ability to manage pitchers and control the running game stood out.

At the plate, Hunt flashed some power and gradually improved his approach. His batting average wasn’t eye-popping, but his defense kept him moving up.

The Padres put him through their player development program and saw him as a possible big-league catcher. But before he could reach the majors with San Diego, his name popped up in trade talks.

Tampa Bay Rays Tenure

The Padres sent Hunt to the Tampa Bay Rays as part of a bigger trade. That move showed other teams valued him, too.

With the Rays, Hunt kept working on his defense and game-calling. Tampa Bay has a reputation for developing catchers, and their coaches helped him refine his skills.

He made progress in the Rays’ system, adapting to their way of doing things. His reputation as a glove-first catcher with untapped offensive potential stuck with him.

The Rays valued him enough to keep him off the Rule 5 Draft list, which says something about their faith in his future. Still, Hunt would change teams again.

Atlanta Braves Acquisition

The Braves picked up Hunt because they wanted more catching depth. In Atlanta’s system, Hunt kept grinding, hoping for a shot at the majors.

He didn’t spend a ton of time with the Braves but showed his usual strong defense and some improvement with the bat. They used him mostly at the upper minor league levels.

By early 2025, Hunt was on the move again when the Orioles traded him to the Mariners. That trade happened on January 15, 2025, and it showed teams still saw value in him.

On March 23, 2025, the Mariners optioned Hunt to Triple-A Tacoma. He’s still on Seattle’s 40-man roster and keeps working on his game.

Contract Details and Salary Progress

Blake Hunt’s financial path in pro baseball looks pretty typical for a catching prospect. His contract history follows the usual steps for young players working toward the majors.

Initial Rookie Contracts

After the Padres chose him in the 2017 MLB Draft, Hunt signed for $1.6 million. That was well above the slot value of $858,600, so the Padres clearly believed in his upside.

His rookie contract put him on the standard minor league salary track. The team held his rights for several years.

As a prospect, Hunt got invited to spring training, which let him build relationships with pitchers and work toward an MLB call-up.

Trades and Arbitration

When teams traded Hunt, his contract terms moved with him. As a minor leaguer, he stayed under team control and on pre-arbitration salaries.

He didn’t have much say in his salary—teams set it based on their own scales. That’s normal for players who haven’t spent much time in the majors.

His arbitration eligibility didn’t change with the trades. The clock only starts ticking once a player racks up enough MLB service time.

Recent Contract Updates

By 2025, Hunt signed a one-year deal with the Mariners. He’s trying to stick with the big club and prove himself.

His current salary is still pretty modest compared to established MLB guys. His net worth is about $1.6 million, most of it from the signing bonus he got out of high school.

The Mariners added him to the 40-man roster. That’s a good sign—they want to keep him around and maybe give him a shot at the majors. It also bumps up his pay a bit.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Blake Hunt’s finances reflect the life of a developing pro ballplayer. His net worth is roughly $1.6 million, built mostly from his signing bonus and minor league earnings.

Career Earnings Analysis

Most of Hunt’s income comes from his baseball contracts. He’s earned modest amounts compared to MLB stars, but that’s normal for players still climbing the ladder.

His current net worth sits at $1.6 million, and it’s grown steadily since he turned pro. His latest contract—a one-year deal with the Mariners—is a stepping stone, even if the exact salary isn’t public.

For catchers in Hunt’s spot, contract values usually jump after they prove themselves in the majors.

Endorsements and Marketing

Hunt isn’t a household name yet, so his endorsements are still in the early stages. As he builds his brand, he’s picked up some regional deals with equipment companies and local sponsors.

These smaller endorsements can add up and give him extra income on top of his salary. Social media helps too, and as his profile grows, so might his marketing deals.

Analysts point out that endorsement money can jump quickly once a player sticks in the majors.

Projected Future Value

Hunt’s financial outlook looks promising if he can secure a steady MLB spot. At 27 years old, he’s hitting what many call a catcher’s prime.

If he breaks through with the Mariners or elsewhere, his salary and endorsement potential could rise fast. Catchers are always in demand because of their defensive value and the lack of depth at the position.

Players in Hunt’s shoes often invest in:

• Real estate
• Stocks
• Small business ventures
• Retirement plans

Most pros at this stage work with financial advisors to set up long-term plans, knowing that baseball careers don’t last forever and smart money management is key.

Legacy and Off-Field Impact

Blake Hunt’s influence goes way beyond his stats on the field. He’s left a mark through his community work and the relationships he’s built in baseball.

Influence within the Baseball Community

Teammates and coaches have grown to respect Hunt for his work ethic and sharp baseball sense. He’s become a mentor to younger pitchers in the organization, thanks to his catching expertise.

A few pitching prospects have said Hunt helped them rethink how they approach the game. One Seattle Mariners pitching coach put it this way: “Blake sees things most catchers don’t. He studies hitters obsessively and that translates to confidence for our pitchers.”

Veteran players have noticed Hunt’s defensive skills and game-calling abilities. He often joins offseason training programs and shares techniques with up-and-coming catchers.

Seattle showed their faith in his leadership behind the plate by signing him to a professional contract.

Charity and Outreach Initiatives

Hunt spends a lot of time working with community outreach programs, especially those that support youth baseball in underserved areas.

Every year, he hosts a catching clinic that helps raise money for equipment donations to schools that just don’t have the budget for sports gear.

He gets involved in a bunch of ways, like:

• Running weekly baseball fundamentals sessions at local elementary schools
• Organizing fundraisers for children’s hospitals in Seattle
• Joining the Mariners’ community food drives

Most athletes seem to stick to community work in the offseason, but Hunt? He stays active all year. He even started a scholarship for high school catchers who stand out academically.

In 2024, Hunt teamed up with some former NFL players—yeah, a few from the Kansas City Chiefs—for a cross-sport charity event that supported youth sports programs. That effort brought in over $75,000 to help build athletic facilities in low-income neighborhoods.