Sports Cipher

Hunter Morris Awarded Topps Southern League Player of the Month in June

Hunter Morris says, “You’re always out numbered in this game. There’s always more guys trying to get you out than there are trying to get on base.”
**photo credit to Jill Cacic/Huntsville Stars**

Hunter Morris is the first basemen of the Huntsville Stars. The Stars, located in Hunstville, Alabama are the Double-A Affliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Morris, 23, has been in the Minor League’s for two years now; all with the Brewers organization. It’s unfair to say that he’s doing well. Hunter Morris is ranked third in the Southern League according to his batting average of .307. He also leads the Stars in home runs and RBIs, he’s doing better than well.

Morris attended Auburn University. Right before he entered college, he TURNED DOWN signing with the Boston Red Sox and opted for college. After being apart of Team USA in 2008, Hunter Morris made his name known to all of the major league scouts. Morris was drafted and signed with the Brewers in 2010. Ever since then, he’s been making strides in his minor league career. Sports Cipher caught up with Hunter Morris. Here’s what he had to say:

What was your college experience like and how do you compare it to the minor leagues?

It’s a completely different world, as far as the baseball goes; you had time to practice and go over the game plan. [In the Minors] You have to make adjustments on the fly, if you struggle with consistency you don’t have time to try to get everything fixed. The biggest difference is you don’t have time to fix holes and make adjustments.

Do you still talk to some of your former Auburn teammates?

Yeah absolutely! There are two of us in the Southern League right now. Some of my best friends in the world I’ve played with. We go down for football season, friendships and relationships are the great thing about college.

What do you think about the shootings at Auburn?

That was crazy, its strange to hear about stuff like that about a neighborhood I spent time around there and going around that apartment complex where that happened. It’s sad to think about but it does happen everywhere.

On a lighter note, you were voted the Topps Southern League Player of the Month by Southern League Managers, is this your first award of that nature?

Yes, this is my first and I’m definitely excited. I also got Brewers Organization player of the month last year and this year in April. [League Wise] to accomplish that is huge for me. I’m honored and I’m sure there are plenty of guys deserving of the award but I’m going to embrace it. Using it as a starting block for what’s to come.

What was it like being apart of Team USA?

I played for the Jr. National team when I was in senior in high school we went to Cuba. In 2008, (freshman in college) I played in in the Netherlands and Czech Republic. We actually went undefeated that year played a couple of Olympic teams that were getting ready to go to Beijing. (In Cuba) The competition was great, its an eye-opener, some places aren’t as fortunate and luxurious as the States. The lifestyle of there is so different.

You lead the team in HR and RBIs, third in the league in batting, do you look or are you reminded of your stats?

I’ve never really been a stat rat, you’re going to see [your stats on the board], as far as staying focused, or what my average is doing, the harder you try the more pressure you put on yourself and you’ll just kill yourself that way.

What’s one thing your try to remember during a game?

There are always other opportunities to get the job done. Whether it’s the next day or the next at bat. You’re going to fail 7-10 times as a hitter, but just because you got out once doesn’t mean your going your going to get out again.

You were the driving force behind the Stars’ win against the Lookouts last night, would you agree?

I would say the timing of the home run was good. We were tied 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth. I wouldn’t take the credit of the team. I was only one of the four runs that we got out there.

Lately, I’ve been pining over community service. Do you take part in community relations events?

Yeah the Stars have done a great job this year getting out in the community. I’ve had a chance to redo some elementary school classrooms and done a lot of baseball camps in the community. If it weren’t for those fans we wouldn’t have a job because those are the fans watching baseball.

What inspires you?

Passion and love for the game. This is what I wanted to since I was little kid and it’s been a life long goal to get to the major leagues, and I can’t take it for granted. It’s always been something I wanted to do and I can’t let this opportunity slip out of my fingers.

What would be some advice you would give to a young baseball player?

If baseball is something you really want to do, you’ve got to make it a passion. Anybody can get the opportunity you just had to take advantage of it. This game is very humbling and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.

Tell me an obstacle you’ve had to overcome involving baseball.

My biggest obstacle is inconsistency. You’ll have a couple weeks where you forget which end of the bat to hold. If you can level that out and maintain, the shorter you can make the time you’re not feeling good at the plate, try to stay consistent. I’ve felt a lot better this year about it than I’ve felt in the past.