Bolles Alum Hunter Barco ‘19 is one of the most dominant athletes to come out of Bolles.
His success began early in his career when he played varsity baseball in eighth grade and committed to the University of Virginia at age 14.
“That really lifted the pressure off me because I knew I was going to play in college. I could just have fun playing the game I love without wondering what was next,” Barco said.
He ended his freshman year with a 12-0 record and a 0.53 ERA (Earned Run Average), meaning he gave up 0.53 runs per full game. This success led to him winning the Florida Times-Union Player of the Year. This was an incredible accomplishment, making him the best high school player in Florida.
“Coach Boswell really took me under his wing along with the other varsity players,” Barco said. “They all made me feel like I belonged on the field and that gave me the confidence that I could compete with them.”
He continued this success throughout high school, ending with a 35-4 record, a 1.53 ERA, and 336 strikeouts. Not only was he successful on the mound but also as a hitter, launching 13 home runs and batting .299. This success contributed to back-to-back state championships in 2016 and 2017, making him one of the best baseball players to come out of Bolles.
“Bolles baseball taught me discipline as a player and person. Everything had to be done the right way, and we were taught that every little detail matters. Learning that early in my career was crucial not only in baseball but also my life.”
Barco was viewed as a top MLB Prospect for the 2019 Draft, but after sliding to the 24th round to the New York Mets he decided to pursue his strong commitment to Florida.
“Once my senior year came around I realized that Virgina, although it is an incredible program, might not be the best fit for me. I made the switch to the University of Florida due to it having such great academics and a great program,” Barco said.
“I decided to go to Florida because I knew what my price was to go pro instead of going to school, and we were unable to come to an agreement, so I chose to get an education and play great college baseball.”
In 2020 Barco capitalized on his opportunities, pitching 19 innings with a 2-0 record and a 1.40 ERA before the rest of his season being canceled due to Covid.
In 2021 he continued to make his name known starting 16 games going 10-3 with a 4.01 ERA. Following the season, he was selected to represent the USA Baseball National team where he competed against top level talent from around the world.
Junior year, Barco faced some adversity dealing with some elbow discomfort. It was announced that he would have Tommy John Surgery, meaning he would have surgery on his UCL and would not return that year.
Despite Barco sitting out most of his junior year, scouts believed in his potential from previous years. Barco was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates as the 44th overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft.
Following being drafted, he showed how electric he was despite his surgery. He has climbed up the minor league system currently playing on the Double A Greensboro Grasshoppers.
The Pirates view Barco as a valuable asset in their organization as their 8th ranked prospect overall. This projects him to be in the Major League by the 2025 season.
Barco had some great advice for younger players.
“My advice to a high school player is just to have fun. Don’t take your friendships with your teammates for granted because those will be your friends for the rest of your life. Baseball after high school is still a lot of fun, but it is more of a job and very success driven. High school baseball is all about having fun with your friends and enjoying the time you have with each other.”
