Hunter Haley: More Than a Home Run Hitter

Hunter HaleY
Home Run Hunter With 16 home runs and 30 stolen bases in his career, Haley is one of just four players at OU in the last decade to record 10 or more homers and 25 or more steals in a career.

The Haley File
Hometown:	Nacogdoches, Texas
High School:	Central Heights
Bats/Throws:	Left/Right
Height/Weight:	5-10/175
Major:	Human Relations

Haley and Neuse embrace following a walk-off win over Baylor (4/10/16).

Hunter Haley has ridden the ups and downs of a collegiate baseball player like only a few can. It takes a player of superior talent, a team built on a winning tradition and a little bit of luck, which in Haley's case goes both ways. He's been to a NCAA Super Regional, played on a Big 12 Championship team, participated in the College Home Run Derby in Omaha, earned numerous honors and recognitions and also battled through more than his share of injuries.

Haley has been the same player all four years he's been a part of the University of Oklahoma baseball team. A four-year starter in the outfield, the Nacogdoches, Texas native has made his greatest strides here in his senior season, while impacting his team off the diamond.

“I hadn't seen it until this year,” OU head coach Pete Hughes said of Haley stepping into a leadership role. “He has really embraced it and our guys love being around him. He is quiet. He doesn't draw attention to himself, but he is a true leader. I couldn't have said that last year or the year before. I told him the night before he got hurt, 'I haven't been more proud of a kid than you and what you've done as far as bringing this team together.'”

Arriving in Norman for the 2013 season, Haley was a part of a highly-touted and equally-decorated class that went on to win the Big 12 Championship his freshman season.

“My favorite moment was my freshman year; winning the Big 12 Tournament,” recalled Haley. “We got to dogpile, got to win a big ring…that was pretty special.”

After 2015, many of his classmates that he began his career at Oklahoma with had moved on to the professional ranks following the MLB First-Year Player Draft. Haley, who a summer earlier had been ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Texas Collegiate Baseball League by Baseball America, was passed on by all 30 Major League Baseball teams, though he had opportunities to sign, due to playing through an injury-riddled junior season.

“I'm glad,” Haley said looking back. “I thought about it last year. I could have signed if I wanted to, but to me it just wasn't worth it. I wanted to come back and play one more year. With the injury, it definitely didn't end how I hoped it would. Still, I got to meet a bunch of new guys, make a lot of new friends and it has been a good year.”

The injury both Hughes and Haley refer to is a broken left wrist. In the fifth inning against West Virginia on April 22, Haley hit a groundball to third. A high throw caused the first baseman to come down the line and as Haley ducked beneath the tag attempt his front foot hit the front of the bag at full speed and sent him tumbling into foul territory. Called out on the play, despite the tag missing, he went back into left field for the next half inning and it wasn't until there was one out that he realized how badly hurt he was.

Since then, Haley has embraced his role in a leadership capacity in the dugout and in the clubhouse.

“I can still help the team even though I can't help them on the field,” stated Haley. “I can help some of these younger guys still. I want to do anything I can these last few weeks.”

The Sooners wait for Haley (#4) at home following his walk-off home run to beat Long Beach State (3/13/16).

Coach Hughes and the Sooners do not designate season captains until after the year has played out; allowing each player on the roster an opportunity to step up as a leader throughout the course of the season. However, prior to Oklahoma's series at TCU in mid-April, Hughes instituted a new tradition. Sooner players would elect weekend captains going into each remaining series on the schedule. Haley and junior shortstop Sheldon Neuse each received the honor for the TCU and West Virginia series.

Following Haley's injury, sustained against the Mountaineers, he was unable to travel to Kansas, but still received several votes from his teammates. Upon the Sooners' return to Norman for the final home series and senior day against Kansas State, Haley was once again voted a team captain for the weekend.

“That means a lot,” Haley said. “I'm glad I can step up and be a role model for them. It means a lot to me.”

“I know he's hurt right now, but the fact that he's going to be around our guys is where his true measure and value comes to our program,” exclaimed Hughes. “For Hunter, I don't know if I've coached a kid that's made a bigger jump in personal growth. For him to be around our first recruiting class, our freshman class this year, is immeasurable. Just an unbelievable kid.”

Looking ahead, Oklahoma needs to win the Big 12 Championship to make it to a NCAA Regional; something Haley has accomplished once in his career already. Though he may not come to the park everyday as the powerful bat in the middle of Hughes' lineup that he once was, he arrives with the team-first mentality to lift his teammates, guide them and help in any way possible keep their season going.

“The main thing, once we get to the Big 12 Tournament, nothing else matters,” Haley stated. “It doesn't matter what we did before that. Anybody can win it. It seems like most years, the team who wins it isn't a team that has a regional locked down; a team that's having to play for something. I think we've got the guys that can win it.”

Haley watches his third home run of the Sooners' series win over Baylor leave the yard (4/10/16). Haley's three-home run, eight-RBI week was rewarded as he earned Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week.

In a career that spanned four seasons, Haley has put up impressive numbers and made memorable plays, including a walk-off home run earlier this season to beat Long Beach State. Barring a late-season return to the field, he will finish his career with 99 RBI and 98 runs scored; falling just shy of becoming the 41^st player in program history with 100 in each category.

“It's been good. It's been a lot of fun,” Haley said of his career at OU. “I got to be a four-year starter; I'm pretty blessed by that. I don't feel like many people get to do that. This year, I just really tried to enjoy everything; be more laid back, have fun and enjoy the last ride.”

For Haley and the Sooners, that ride continues this weekend in the Bedlam Series. After that it's a week of non-conference action to prepare for the Big 12 Tournament. In every season, there are multiple opportunities to claim a championship. The regular season title will be determined before Oklahoma heads to OKC where it will make a stand to fight for a championship of its own and aim to make Haley's last ride last a little longer.