Rangers Spring Training Preview: Sam Huff

Sam Huff is the Texas Rangers' top prospect at catcher, but his path to being a full-time starter is blocked for now.

InsidetheRangers.com previews every player on the Texas Rangers 40-man roster heading into Spring Training in Surprise, Arizona.

C Sam Huff

In 2022: Huff has been considered the Rangers’ top prospect at catcher the past couple of seasons. The two-time organizational All-Star played 10 games with the Rangers in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, so 2022 represented a more normal season. But Huff never could quite stick in the Majors.

Called up after Mitch Garver’s injury, Huff’s path to the primary catching job was blocked by the consistent play of Jonah Heim. The Rangers also flipped Meibrys Viloria into Huff’s spot, along with Kevin Plawecki late in the season.

Huff wasn’t consistent enough at the plate to earn consistent playing time, and the constant back-and-forth between Round Rock and Arlington didn’t help.

Huff batted .240/.303/.372/.675 in 44 games. He scored nine runs with four doubles, four home runs and 10 RBI. He struck out 42 times and walked 11 times. He played a half-dozen games at first base in an effort to build some versatility.

Huff’s Career at a Glance: The Rangers drafted Huff in the seventh round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Arcadia High School in Phoenix. From there he built up consistently in the minors, culminating in being named the 2019 Futures Game Larry Doby Most Valuable Player. He had never played above High-A when the Rangers called him up during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season in September, and in 10 games he batted .355/.394/.742/1.136 with three home runs and four RBI. Huff spent half of 2021 on the injured list and the rest of that season splitting time between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, along with playing in the Arizona Fall League.

Contract Status: Huff isn’t eligible for arbitration until 2025.

In Surprise: Huff’s status on the roster may be tied to that of Mitch Garver, who missed most of last season with a flexor tendon injury that limited him to designated hitter and led to surgery in July. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training. Heim is expected to be the starter. The question is what the Rangers expect Garver to be? A tandem catcher with Heim? A back-up? A full-time designated hitter? The Rangers are leaving all options open. In fact, manager Bruce Bochy said in December that he was open to the idea of keeping three catchers. Huff has a lot of flexibility, in terms of options, and could start in Triple-A. But the Rangers love his bat and he’s shown consistent average and power in the minors. If he gets off to a hot start in Spring Training, he could force the Rangers’ hand — or make their decision a little bit easier. If you’re leaning one way, it’s toward Huff making the final 26-man roster for Opening Day.

2023 Texas Rangers 40-Man Spring Training Previews:

Joe Barlow | John King | Dane Dunning | Brett Martin | Jake Odorizzi | Yerry Rodriguez | Owen White | Cole Ragans | Andrew Heaney | Glenn Otto | Josh Sborz | Ricky Vanasco | Cole Winn | Nathan Eovaldi | Jon Gray | Jonathan Hernández | Spencer Howard | José Leclerc | Martín Pérez | Brock Burke | Jacob deGrom | Taylor Hearn | Jonah Heim |

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