In 2024, Hunsaker attended Texas A&M-Corpus Christi but posted a 6.82 ERA. He struggled with control, as evidenced by his 51:30 strikeout:walk ratio over 64 2/3 innings. He then joined Lamar, where he got his control tamed and showed success. The righty posted a 2.47 ERA with a 70:22 strikeout:walk ratio over 76 2/3 innings. The Cubs are hoping to be catching onto his late-rising stock at just the right time.