threw the low fastball, and with plenty might and a pure, quick swing, Cedric Hunter met it and launched it back over the fence in right field. There, at Great American Ballpark on Thursday, Hunter swatted his first career home run.
Imagine the feeling of that moment. Drafted in 2006, a third-round pick by the San Diego Padres, Hunter was labeled a prospect, an outfielder with potential. Bright lights, big plans. He was quickly sent to triple-A at age 19, then back down to single-A at age 20. A few years later he was back in triple A, hitting well enough to keep a starting job in Tucson, but not well enough to earn a call-up for San Diego.