Former Rangers top prospect's career hits crossroads after release from Giants

A once promising catching prospect, Sam Huff was expected to be what Jonah Heim is now for the Texas Rangers organization.

Huff, 27, was the Rangers seventh-round pick back in 2016 out of Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Arizona. At one point the catcher was ranked the Rangers' No. 2 overall prospect two years in a row in 2020 and 2021.

Now, he finds himself out of a job again after his recent release from the San Francisco Giants after 53 at-bats with the team from the Bay Area.

Sam Huff's career is at a standstill after recent release from San Francisco

Huff made his debut during the COVID shortened 2020 season and while he was able to find a massive amount of success in pretty much every minor league stop, he was never able to hit his stride in the big leagues.

After being released by Texas in January, he was claimed off waivers by the Giants and in 20 games this year, Huff slashed .208/.259/.340 with just two homers, 4 RBIs, a double and a measly .598 OPS. Tired of the lack of production, the Giants designated him for assignment on June 4, then re-assigned to Triple-A after not being picked up.

Sure, Huff still has a job with a professional baseball team but after being released by a team and not being claimed elsewhere, there's not much hope for Huff to lean on as San Francisco has likely already given up on him in case of a desperate emergency situation.

Huff is added to a extensive list of missed draft picks in Texas Rangers history. For some reason, Texas has struggled to be able to appropriately develop players to where it translates at the highest level.