Somerset Patriots Closer Jon Hunton Named 2014 Male Athlete of the Year By DoubleGSports.com

Courtesy of Somerset Patriots

As if being the Director of Player Personnel for the Somerset Patriots and running a company that helps professional baseball players find jobs, Jon Hunton is also the Patriots closer. One may think that’s a tall task.

Tall? Maybe. Jon stands 6’9, a intimidating force on or off the mound. However, Hunton has handled his multiple roles exceptionally. In fact, Hunton had a record setting season in 2014, leading him to be voted the 2014 Male Athlete of the Year by DoubleGSports.com.

In his third year with the Patriots, Hunton was named to the 2014 Atlantic League First-Team after posting a 2.07 ERA in 56.1 innings of work. Hunton was also named the closer of the year after setting a new league record with 49 saves. That mark topped the previous record of 40 set in 2003.

Hunton also set a Somerset Patriots franchise record in saves, breaking his own previous record of 38.

The North Plainfield, New Jersey native who has experience in the Chicago Cubs and Oakland A’s organizations, re-signed with the Patriots in the dual role last month. Hunton will enter the upcoming season 38 saves shy of the Atlantic League career record held by Southern Maryland’s Jim Ed Warden with 134.