Born and raised in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Hunter attended Pine Bluff High School. Hunter, along with his three brothers, were raised in poverty and lived in a rough neighborhood, but were able to find sports as an outlet. Hunter began playing baseball at the age of eight and also began playing football from a young age, excelling as both a quarterback and free safety. At Pine Bluff High, Hunter excelled in baseball, football, basketball, and track. Early on in high school, Hunter was actually a stand out in sports other than baseball, but would receive All-State honors for his junior and senior seasons. According to the head coach of the team, Hunter once hit a ball 550 feet for a home run. In 1992, Hunter made the U.S. Junior Olympic team, and when he struggled to pay the $500 fee for the team, Hunter wrote then-governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton, a letter asking for help, which Clinton accepted. Hunter had the option of attending Pepperdine University to play baseball, but opted to play professional baseball instead.

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