PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Described by scouts as strong and athletic, sophomore outfielder Hunter Bishop was destined to become an athlete. His natural talent and speed gave him unmatched outfield abilities, and his raw power helped him to propel hits into the gaps and over the outfield fences.
When Bishop – the 15th ranked outfielder in the nation by Perfect Game out of high school – shocked the baseball world by committing to the University of Washington to play football, his brother Braden was there for him. A former Husky himself, Braden was nothing but supportive of his younger brother although he knew Hunter belonged on the diamond.
"He was supportive of my decision either way, but he knew I had more talent on the baseball side," Bishop said. "We made plans to live together because he still lived in Seattle, but he was definitely really excited when I committed to Arizona State to play baseball."
Braden, who Hunter described as "the typical older brother," has been one of the biggest influences in the younger Bishop's life. Their family, compromised of the brothers and their mother, Suzy, and father, Randy, has bounced around the Bay Area from Palo Alto to San Mateo, even briefly living thousands of miles North in Canada. Because of this, the two formed a close bond growing up.
That bond translated into a mutual love for baseball, and the brothers often went to college baseball games as kids to spend time with their father. The two quickly fell in love with the sport and dreamt that one day they'd play in college.
When that dream came true for Braden at the University of Washington, the younger Bishop felt nothing but pride.
When that dream came true for Hunter, who was an All-Conference Honorable Mention after a breakout freshman season, the older Bishop bother felt nothing but pride.
"Seeing Hunt succeed is pretty special and very deserving," Braden said. "He's been very blessed with the skill set he's been given and he doesn't take it for granted. He'll get where he wants to get based on his will to succeed."
Bishop's next step is at the collegiate level, but not without the mentor ship of his older brother.
Braden spent this fall playing for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League, an off-season league owned by Major League Baseball that attracts some of the best prospects, allowing the brothers to spend time together. Hunter often supports his brother at his games, and the two are making the most of their time together before Braden's season ends.
"I'm really lucky to have him in Arizona with me this fall," Hunter said." "I'm in a spot where I am finding out who I am as a baseball player and who I can become, and that's all credit to him."
When Bishop – the 15th ranked outfielder in the nation by Perfect Game out of high school – shocked the baseball world by committing to the University of Washington to play football, his brother Braden was there for him. A former Husky himself, Braden was nothing but supportive of his younger brother although he knew Hunter belonged on the diamond.
So pumped I could be with my little bro on his visit to UW @HunterBishop9 pic.twitter.com/td8OMNb3ss
— Braden Bishop (@bradenbishop7) November 8, 2014
"He was supportive of my decision either way, but he knew I had more talent on the baseball side," Bishop said. "We made plans to live together because he still lived in Seattle, but he was definitely really excited when I committed to Arizona State to play baseball."
Braden, who Hunter described as "the typical older brother," has been one of the biggest influences in the younger Bishop's life. Their family, compromised of the brothers and their mother, Suzy, and father, Randy, has bounced around the Bay Area from Palo Alto to San Mateo, even briefly living thousands of miles North in Canada. Because of this, the two formed a close bond growing up.
That bond translated into a mutual love for baseball, and the brothers often went to college baseball games as kids to spend time with their father. The two quickly fell in love with the sport and dreamt that one day they'd play in college.
When that dream came true for Braden at the University of Washington, the younger Bishop felt nothing but pride.
When that dream came true for Hunter, who was an All-Conference Honorable Mention after a breakout freshman season, the older Bishop bother felt nothing but pride.
S/o @bradenbishop7 first big league game ???? pic.twitter.com/362OsGQe4n
— Hunter Bishop (@HunterBishop9) March 6, 2016
"Seeing Hunt succeed is pretty special and very deserving," Braden said. "He's been very blessed with the skill set he's been given and he doesn't take it for granted. He'll get where he wants to get based on his will to succeed."
Bishop's next step is at the collegiate level, but not without the mentor ship of his older brother.
To the guy who has beat me up since birth but also never left my back hope you have an amazing bday @bradenbishop7 pic.twitter.com/NqF4TDM4Jy
— Hunter Bishop (@HunterBishop9) August 22, 2016
Braden spent this fall playing for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League, an off-season league owned by Major League Baseball that attracts some of the best prospects, allowing the brothers to spend time together. Hunter often supports his brother at his games, and the two are making the most of their time together before Braden's season ends.
"I'm really lucky to have him in Arizona with me this fall," Hunter said." "I'm in a spot where I am finding out who I am as a baseball player and who I can become, and that's all credit to him."