The first Arizona high schooler drafted in 2016, Huff signed for $225,000 in the seventh round after leading the state with 14 homers that spring. After spending two years in Rookie ball and a third in low Class A, he broke out in 2019 by slamming 28 homers and winning MVP honors at the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. Though he hadn't played above Class A Advanced, the Rangers promoted him last September when injuries left them shorthanded, and he responded with three homers in nine starts.
The strength and leverage in Huff's 6-foot-5 frame and his aggressive approach give him more raw pop than any catching prospect in the game and produce the highest exit velocities of any Rangers farmhand since Joey Gallo. His grip-it-and-rip-it approach has resulted in four times as many strikeouts as walks and a 30 percent whiff rate as a pro, so he may never hit for a high average. The right-handed slugger likely will have to make adjustments against more advanced pitching but his power plays against both lefties and righties and to all parts of the ballpark.
While just five players 6-foot-5 or larger have caught as many as 300 games in the Majors, Huff has worked diligently to give him a chance to become the sixth. He's surprisingly quick for his size, has significantly improved his receiving since turning pro and scores well in Texas' framing metrics. His pure arm strength earns well above-average grades from some evaluators and he has quickened his release since signing, allowing him to throw out 48 percent of basestealers in 2019.
2020 Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
Huff led Arizona high schoolers with 14 homers in 2016 and was the state's first prepster selected that June, passing on a commitment to Grand Canyon to sign for $225,000 in the seventh round. He spent his first two pro seasons in Rookie ball before jumping to low Class A and hitting 18 homers in his third. He broke out in 2019, ranking second among Minor League catchers with 28 homers and earning MVP honors at the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
Huff may have more raw power than any catching prospect and as much as any player in the Minors. He has plenty of strength and leverage in his 6-foot-5 frame, which combine with his take-no-prisoners right-handed swing to produce the highest exit velocities of any Rangers farmhand since Joey Gallo. His extreme aggression has resulted in a 30 percent strikeout rate through his first four seasons, however, and he may need a more disciplined approach to succeed against upper-level pitching.
Though just five players his size have caught 300 games in the big leagues, Huff moves surprisingly well for a huge man and should be able to remain behind the plate. He has improved his defense significantly since turning pro and scores well in Texas' framing metrics, though he needs to get more consistent with his receiving. His arm draws well above-average grades from some scouts and helped him erase 48 percent of basestealers in 2019.
2019 Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
Huff topped Arizona high schoolers with 14 home runs in 2016 and was the first selected in that Draft, giving up a commitment to Grand Canyon to sign for $225,000 in the seventh round. He repeated Rookie ball in his first two pro seasons before making the jump to full-season ball in 2018 and ranking seventh among Minor League catchers with 18 homers. One of the biggest breakout prospects in baseball this season, he has challenged for the home run lead in the Minors and won MVP honors at the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
The strength and leverage in Huff's 6-foot-4 frame and his all-out right-handed swing give him well above-average raw power to all fields and produce the highest exit velocities of any Rangers prospect since Joey Gallo. His ultra-aggressive approach yields lots of strikeouts and few walks, however, and may not work against more advanced pitching. Surprisingly athletic for such a big catcher, he has below-average speed and moves well on the bases.
Though Huff pushes the upper limits for size at his position and must continue to improve, the Rangers are pleased with his progress. His receiving is still rough at times but he scores very well in their framing metrics and has plus arm strength. If he reaches his ceiling, he'll produce 30 homers on an annual basis while providing solid defense behind the plate.
2018 Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
Huff led Arizona high schoolers with 14 homers in 2016 and was the first one selected in the Draft that June, signing for $225,000 as a seventh-rounder. He spent his first two pro seasons close to home while repeating the Rookie-level Arizona League, batting .330 in his debut and tying for the home run lead with nine in 2017. He has made good progress defensively as well and could wind up as the best all-around performer among Texas' stockpile of catching prospects.
Huff employed a more discipline, contact-oriented approach in his first year as a pro before becoming more aggressive and homer-conscious in his second. The strength and leverage he derives from his extra-large frame give him plenty of natural power, so he shouldn't have to sell out for home runs. There may be a happy medium where he hits .260 with 15-20 homers per year.
Though at 6-foot-4 he's bigger than desired for a catcher and he's still a work in progress defensively, he has the tools to get the job done defensively. While he needs to clean up his receiving, he's flexible for his size and scores well in Texas' framing metrics. He possesses solid arm strength but won't get the most out of it until he quickens his release.
