Chad Huffman


Chad Daniel Huffman is an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder who is currently a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals, and in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Chiba Lotte Marines.

Career

Amateur

Huffman attended Elkins High School in Missouri City, Texas, and Texas Christian University, where he played for the TCU Horned Frogs' baseball team from 2004–2006 and football team from 2003–2005. With the baseball team, he was named to the All-Conference USA Tournament Team in both 2004 and 2005. In 2005, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres selected Huffman in the second round, with the 53rd overall selection, of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft. Huffman won the 2009 AAA Home Run Derby in PGE Park as a member of the hometown Portland Beavers.
Huffman was waived by the Padres prior to the 2010 season to make room on the 40 man roster for Matt Stairs.

New York Yankees

He was claimed off waivers by the Yankees.
On June 13, 2010, the New York Yankees recalled Huffman to replace the injured Marcus Thames. Prior to the call up, Huffman hit.279 with 5 home runs, 22 RBIs, and an on-base percentage of.344 over 190 at bats with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. On June 13, 2010 Huffman had his first career hit in his first Major League at bat.
Huffman was designated by assignment by the Yankees on September 15.

Cleveland Indians

On September 17, he was claimed by the Cleveland Indians and optioned to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. Huffman was removed from the 40-man roster on November 3 and sent outright to Columbus.

Chiba Lotte Marines

On December 14, 2013 Huffman signed a one-year deal with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. During the 2014 season, Huffman batted.270 with 20 doubles, four home runs and 28 RBIs in 67 games. During the 2015 season, he went just 1-for-11 in six games.

Detroit Tigers

On December 30, 2015, Huffman signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers.

St. Louis Cardinals

On November 18, 2016, Huffman signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals that included an invitation to spring training.
The Cardinals promoted Huffman to the major leagues on June 7, 2017. On June 13, he hit a triple against the Milwaukee Brewers as a pinch hitter to garner his first major league hit since 2010.
On July 25, 2017, he was outrighted and given unconditional release.

Washington Nationals

On July 27, 2017, he signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals. He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.

Second Stint with Tigers

Huffman signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers on November 25, 2017. The deal includes an invitation to the Tigers' 2018 spring training camp. He elected free agency on November 3, 2018.

Awards and honors

He is the son of Debbie and Royce Huffman, and has two older brothers, Royce Jr., an all-conference performer in TCU Horned Frogs football and TCU Horned Frogs baseball from 1995–99, and Scott, who played football and baseball at Rice University from 1998-02.