David Huff (baseball)

David Huff
Huff with the Swallows in 2019
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1984-08-22) August 22, 1984 (age 40)
Huntington Beach, California, U.S.
Bats: Switch
Throws: Left
Professional debut
MLB: May 17, 2009, for the Cleveland Indians
KBO: July 14, 2016, for the LG Twins
NPB: April 4, 2018, for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows
MLB statistics
(through 2016 season)
Win–loss record25–30
Earned run average5.17
Strikeouts234
KBO statistics
(through 2017 season)
Win–loss record13–6
Earned run average2.66
Strikeouts144
NPB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Win–loss record4–11
Earned run average4.50
Strikeouts136
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 2015 Toronto Team

David Gregory Huff (born August 22, 1984) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. 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

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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

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Cleveland Indians

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Minor leagues

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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

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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

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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

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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.[17]

New York Yankees (second stint)

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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

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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

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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.[citation needed] He opted out of his contract on May 15, making him a free agent.

Los Angeles Angels

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

LG Twins

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

Tokyo Yakult Swallows

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 20+1⁄3 innings pitched. He was released by the Saraperos on June 30, 2024.[36]

Leones de Yucatán

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On July 3, 2024, Huff signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.[37] In 6 appearances for Yucatán, he logged a 5.63 ERA with 5 strikeouts over 8 innings of work. Huff was released by the Leones on November 12.[38]

References

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  1. ^ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  2. ^ "2004 Chatham As". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  3. ^ "2005 Chatham As". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  4. ^ "#11 Dave Huff". UCLABruins.com. UCLA Sports Information. Archived from the original on September 28, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  5. ^ "Minor League Player of the Year by Team". The Baseball Cube. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  6. ^ a b "David Huff Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. August 22, 1984. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  7. ^ Matthews, Wallace (May 29, 2010). "Huff carted off after line drive to head". Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  8. ^ "David Huff Completely Fine After Liner To The Head". SBNation.com. May 31, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  9. ^ "Yankees Add Left-Handed Reliever David Huff To Roster". newyork.cbslocal.com. May 26, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  10. ^ "New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Box Score- May 26, 2013". ESPN.com. May 26, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  11. ^ Duggan, Dan (September 3, 2013). "David Huff benefits from Larry Rothschild's adjustment". Newsday. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  12. ^ New Jersey (September 7, 2013). "David Huff makes first start for Yankees as team faces Red Sox". NJ.com. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  13. ^ "Yankees | David Huff recalled - MLB Hot off the Wire". Kffl.com. August 15, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  14. ^ HOWIE RUMBERG (AP Sports Writer) August 22, 2013 (August 22, 2013). "Suzuki gets 4,000th hit, Soriano homers for Yanks - Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved August 31, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "Giants acquire reliever David Huff from Yankees for cash". SportsIllustrated.com. Associated Press. January 24, 2014. Archived from the original on January 28, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  16. ^ Baer, Bill (January 24, 2014). "Yankees trade David Huff to Giants for cash considerations". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  17. ^ a b "Yankees activate Kelley, acquire Huff from SF". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 11, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  18. ^ Weisman, Jon (January 9, 2015). "Arruebarrena, Seager, Urias among 17 non-roster Spring Training invitees". dodgers.com. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  19. ^ Hoornstra, J.P. (April 7, 2015). "Revealed: Opening Day roster for Triple-A Oklahoma City". LA Daily News. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  20. ^ Dilbeck, Steve (April 13, 2015). "Dodgers call on David Huff to make spot start Tuesday". LA Times. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  21. ^ Hernandez, Dylan (April 15, 2015). "Dodgers designate David Huff, claim Ryan Dennick". LA Times. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  22. ^ Stephen, Eric (June 1, 2015). "Dodgers call up David Huff, option Matt West to Triple-A, move Carl Crawford to 60-day DL". SB Nation. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  23. ^ Weisman, Jon (June 2, 2015). "Exit Barnes and Huff, enter Coulombe and Ravin". Dodgers Insider. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  24. ^ Drevalas, Brent (June 29, 2015). "Pros Set To Represent U.S. At Pan Am Games In Toronto". Baseball America. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  25. ^ "David Huff to start for the Angels on Tuesday against the Yankees". Los Angeles Times. June 7, 2016.
  26. ^ "LG Twins acquire new American pitcher". english.yonhapnews.co.kr. July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  27. ^ "Swallows sign lefty Dave Huff". japantimes.co.jp. December 20, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  28. ^ "2019年度 自由契約選手". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  29. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  30. ^ Dunsmore, Ryan (July 9, 2020). "Skeeters set rosters for summer league". Fort Bend Herald. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  31. ^ "Mariners Sign David Huff to Minor League Deal".
  32. ^ @DiablosRojosMX (April 8, 2022). "¡David Huff es Escarlata! ✨👹 ¡Un nuevo brazo para Los Rojos del México! 🙌🏻👀 #HagamosH1S7ORIA 🏆 @interceramicMX" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved April 9, 2022 – via Twitter.
  33. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en rosters y listas de reserva - 29 de diciembre de 2022".
  34. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 18 de enero de 2023".
  35. ^ "EL ZURDO DAVID HUFF LLEGA A FORTALCER PITCHEO ABRIDOR DE SARAPEROS". saraperos.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  36. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 28 y 29 de junio de 2024". milb.com. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  37. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 3 de julio de 2024". milb.com. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  38. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 12 de noviembre de 2024". milb.com. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
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