David Huff (baseball) explained

David Huff
Team:Leones de Yucatán
Number:32
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:22 August 1984
Birth Place:Huntington Beach, California, U.S.
Bats:Switch
Throws:Left
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:May 17
Debutyear:2009
Debutteam:Cleveland Indians
Debut2league:KBO
Debut2date:July 14
Debut2year:2016
Debut2team:LG Twins
Debut3league:NPB
Debut3date:April 4
Debut3year:2018
Debut3team:Tokyo Yakult Swallows
Statyear:2016 season
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:25–30
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:5.17
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:234
Stat2year:2017 season
Stat2league:KBO
Stat21label:Win–loss record
Stat21value:13–6
Stat22label:Earned run average
Stat22value:2.66
Stat23label:Strikeouts
Stat23value:144
Stat3year:2019 season
Stat3league:NPB
Stat31label:Win–loss record
Stat31value:4–11
Stat32label:Earned run average
Stat32value:4.50
Stat33label:Strikeouts
Stat33value:136
Teams:

David Gregory Huff (born August 22, 1984) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Los Angeles Angels. Huff has also played in the KBO League for the LG Twins and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.

Early life

Huff attended Edison High School, the University of California, Irvine, Cypress College, and the University of California, Los Angeles.

In 2004 and 2005, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham A's of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[1] [2] [3]

Professional career

Cleveland Indians

Minor leagues

Huff was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the first round, with the 39th overall selection, of the 2006 MLB draft.[4]

Since 2006, Huff has played minor league baseball with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Kinston Indians, Akron Aeros, Buffalo Bisons, and Columbus Clippers.

In 11 games with the Akron Aeros in 2008, Huff had a career-best ERA of 1.92. He then pitched 80 innings for the Bisons in 2008 and put up a 3.01 ERA. He was named the Indians' 2008 Minor League Player of the Year (receiving the "Lou Boudreau Award").[5]

Huff pitched for the Triple–A Columbus Clippers in 2009 until his call-up on May 16. He had a 5–1 record with a 4.35 ERA with the Clippers.[6]

Major leagues

Huff made his MLB debut with a start against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 17, 2009. He allowed seven runs in only 3.2 innings to pick up the loss. He recorded his first MLB win on June 7 when he allowed three runs in five innings against the Chicago White Sox. In 23 starts in 2009 he finished 11-8 with a 5.61 ERA.

On May 29, 2010, Huff was hit in the head by a comeback line drive off the bat of Alex Rodriguez. Huff was carried off the field by a medical cart several minutes later.[7] Huff did not sustain a concussion, and returned to his regular baseball activities within 48 hours of the incident.[8]

Huff split his time with the Indians and the minor league affiliates during his four-year tenure with the team. Huff was designated for assignment by the Indians organization on May 24, 2013. Overall, Huff went 18–26 with a 5.40 ERA during his career with the Cleveland Indians.

New York Yankees

Huff was claimed off waivers by the Yankees on May 26, 2013[9] and made his Yankees debut the same day he was acquired, recording a strikeout, two walks, and allowing a run in one inning of relief pitched against the Tampa Bay Rays.[10] [11] He was designated for assignment on May 28, 2013 after Joba Chamberlain was activated from the disabled list. Not wanting to join a third organization, and trusting Yankees' pitching coach Larry Rothschild, Huff accepted a minor league assignment to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple–A International League, after receiving instruction from Rothschild on how to improve his delivery. In Scranton, he continued his work with Gil Patterson.[12]

Huff was re-added to the Yankees' 25-man major league roster and recalled from the minors on August 15, 2013.[13] On August 22, Huff got his first win as a Yankee after pitching five innings of one-hit relief against the Toronto Blue Jays.[14] The Yankees primarily used Huff in the long relief role, but gave him a start in place of Phil Hughes on September 7. He was 3-1 with a 4.67 ERA in 11 appearances (2 starts).

San Francisco Giants

On January 24, 2014, the Yankees traded Huff to the San Francisco Giants for cash considerations.[15] [16] He was designated for assignment on June 6 after posting a disappointing 6.30 ERA with 11 strikeouts and six walks in 20 innings.

New York Yankees (second stint)

On June 11, 2014, Huff was traded back to the Yankees for cash considerations.[17] He was 3-1 with a 1.85 ERA in 30 games and became a free agent on December 2, 2014 after he was non-tendered by the Yankees.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed him to a minor league contract in January 2015 and invited him to spring training.[18] He was assigned to the Triple–A Oklahoma City Dodgers.[19] After one three inning appearance in the minors, the Dodgers purchased his contract and called him up to the Majors to start the April 14 game against the Mariners.[20] He allowed four runs in four innings and was designated for assignment after the game.[21] After returning to Oklahoma City, he was again recalled by the Dodgers on June 1.[22] He was designated for assignment again on June 2 after appearing in relief in two games.[23] He returned to the minors and appeared in 23 games for Oklahoma City, only four of which were starts. He was 5–2 with a 2.20 ERA.[6]

Huff was selected to be a member of the United States national baseball team for the 2015 Pan-American Games.[24]

Kansas City Royals

On January 9, 2016, Huff agreed to a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals. He would earn $1.1 million if he made the Major League roster. He opted out of his contract on May 15, making him a free agent.

Los Angeles Angels

On May 18, 2016, Huff signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels promoted Huff to the MLB to start on June 7.[25]

LG Twins

On July 8, 2016, Huff signed a deal with the LG Twins of the KBO League.[26]

Tokyo Yakult Swallows

On December 20, 2017, Huff signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[27]

On December 2, 2019, he become free agent.[28]

Sugar Land Lightning Sloths

On January 20, 2020, Huff signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[29] Huff was released by the Diamondbacks organization on May 28.

In July 2020, Huff signed on to play for the Sugar Land Lightning Sloths of the Constellation Energy League (a makeshift 4-team independent league created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic) for the 2020 season.[30]

Seattle Mariners

On May 13, 2021, Huff signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners organization.[31] Huff pitched to a 5.25 ERA in 14 appearances, 9 starts for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers before he was released on August 12, 2021.

Diablos Rojos del México

On April 8, 2022, Huff signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League.[32] Huff made 21 appearances (11 starts) for México in 2022, recording a 6-1 record and 4.86 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 74.0 innings pitched.

Saraperos de Saltillo

On December 29, 2022, Huff was loaned to the Guerreros de Oaxaca.[33] Huff was released by Oaxaca on January 18, 2023, after the team signed Eric Filia.[34] On May 14, Huff signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo.[35] He made 13 starts for the club in 2023, compiling a 5–4 record and 4.50 ERA with 50 strikeouts across 74 innings.

Huff made 16 appearances for Saltillo in 2024, but struggled to an 11.51 ERA with 15 strikeouts across innings pitched. He was released by the Saraperos on June 30, 2024.[36]

Leones de Yucatán

On July 3, 2024, Huff signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.[37]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League . capecodbaseball.org . January 9, 2020.
  2. Web site: 2004 Chatham As . thebaseballcube.com . September 23, 2021.
  3. Web site: 2005 Chatham As . thebaseballcube.com . September 23, 2021.
  4. Web site: #11 Dave Huff . UCLABruins.com . UCLA Sports Information . August 14, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120928213741/http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/huff_dave00.html . September 28, 2012 . dead . mdy .
  5. Web site: Minor League Player of the Year by Team . The Baseball Cube . July 25, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111016231321/http://www.thebaseballcube.com/awards/Minor_League_Player_of_the_Year_by_Team.shtml . October 16, 2011 . mdy .
  6. Web site: David Huff Minor League Statistics & History . Baseball-Reference.com . August 22, 1984 . August 31, 2013.
  7. Web site: Matthews . Wallace . Huff carted off after line drive to head . May 29, 2010 . August 10, 2010.
  8. Web site: David Huff Completely Fine After Liner To The Head . May 31, 2010 . SBNation.com . August 31, 2013.
  9. Web site: Yankees Add Left-Handed Reliever David Huff To Roster. May 26, 2013. newyork.cbslocal.com. May 26, 2013.
  10. Web site: New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Box Score- May 26, 2013 . ESPN.com . May 26, 2013 . January 26, 2014.
  11. Web site: David Huff benefits from Larry Rothschild's adjustment . Newsday . September 3, 2013 . January 26, 2014 . Duggan, Dan.
  12. Web site: New Jersey . David Huff makes first start for Yankees as team faces Red Sox . September 7, 2013 . NJ.com . September 8, 2013.
  13. Web site: Yankees | David Huff recalled - MLB Hot off the Wire . Kffl.com . August 15, 2013 . August 31, 2013.
  14. Web site: HOWIE RUMBERG (AP Sports Writer) August 22, 2013 . Suzuki gets 4,000th hit, Soriano homers for Yanks - Yahoo! Sports . Sports.yahoo.com . August 22, 2013 . August 31, 2013.
  15. Web site: Giants acquire reliever David Huff from Yankees for cash . SportsIllustrated.com . Associated Press . January 24, 2014 . January 25, 2014.
  16. Web site: Yankees trade David Huff to Giants for cash considerations . NBC Sports . January 24, 2014 . January 25, 2014 . Baer, Bill.
  17. News: Yankees activate Kelley, acquire Huff from SF. June 12, 2014. Associated Press. ESPN.com. June 11, 2014.
  18. Web site: Arruebarrena, Seager, Urias among 17 non-roster Spring Training invitees. dodgers.com. Jon. Weisman. January 9, 2015. January 9, 2015.
  19. Web site: Revealed: Opening Day roster for Triple-A Oklahoma City.. LA Daily News. J.P.. Hoornstra. April 7, 2015. April 7, 2015.
  20. News: Dodgers call on David Huff to make spot start Tuesday. Steve. Dilbeck. LA Times. April 13, 2015. April 14, 2015.
  21. News: Dodgers designate David Huff, claim Ryan Dennick. LA Times. Dylan. Hernandez. April 15, 2015. April 15, 2015.
  22. Web site: Dodgers call up David Huff, option Matt West to Triple-A, move Carl Crawford to 60-day DL. Eric. Stephen. SB Nation. June 1, 2015. June 1, 2015.
  23. Web site: Exit Barnes and Huff, enter Coulombe and Ravin. Dodgers Insider. Jon. Weisman. June 2, 2015. June 2, 2015.
  24. Web site: Pros Set To Represent U.S. At Pan Am Games In Toronto. Baseball America. Brent. Drevalas. June 29, 2015. July 1, 2015.
  25. Web site: David Huff to start for the Angels on Tuesday against the Yankees. Los Angeles Times. June 7, 2016.
  26. Web site: LG Twins acquire new American pitcher. english.yonhapnews.co.kr. July 8, 2016. July 25, 2016.
  27. Web site: Swallows sign lefty Dave Huff. japantimes.co.jp. December 20, 2017. December 20, 2017.
  28. Web site: 2019年度 自由契約選手 . NPB.jp 日本野球機構 . ja . December 22, 2019 .
  29. Web site: 2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled. July 16, 2024. mlb.com. en.
  30. News: Dunsmore . Ryan . Skeeters set rosters for summer league . August 29, 2020 . Fort Bend Herald . July 9, 2020.
  31. Web site: Mariners Sign David Huff to Minor League Deal.
  32. DiablosRojosMX. 1512596462777028608. ¡David Huff es Escarlata! ✨ ¡Un nuevo brazo para Los Rojos del México! #HagamosH1S7ORIA @interceramicMX. 8 April 2022. ES. 9 April 2022.
  33. Web site: LMB: Movimientos en rosters y listas de reserva - 29 de diciembre de 2022 .
  34. Web site: LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 18 de enero de 2023 .
  35. Web site: EL ZURDO DAVID HUFF LLEGA A FORTALCER PITCHEO ABRIDOR DE SARAPEROS. saraperos.com.mx. ES. May 14, 2023.
  36. Web site: LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 28 y 29 de junio de 2024. June 30, 2024. milb.com. en.
  37. Web site: LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 3 de julio de 2024. July 4, 2024. milb.com. en.