Exit Interview 2017: Chad Huffman

For the sixth straight year, we’re taking a look back at everyone that played for the St. Louis Cardinals this season.  Whether they were a major contributor or a bit player, here all year or for just a little while, we’ll look at their season and talk about what went right and what went wrong.  The stat line listed is just their time in St. Louis, though splits and other numbers in the discussion may be for the entire year.  Imagine this as them stopping by Mike Matheny‘s office for a little review on their way home for the winter.  As always when you see incredible artistry in the blogs, all credit for the header work goes to @cardinalsgifs.

Player: Chad Huffman

Season stats: 12 G, 15 PA, 3 R, 1 3B, 1 BB, 6 K, .286/.333/.429, 100 OPS+, -0.1 bWAR

Hero/Goat: None

Overall grade: C

Positives: Returned to the big leagues for the first time since playing with the Yankees in 2010….had his first career extra-base hit on June 13 against the Brewers….had a 1.000 OPS against lefties (6 PA)….had a 1.095 OPS at home (7 PA)….had a .500 OPS in his one start….had a 2.000 OPS on the first pitch (2 PA)….went 3-10 as a pinch-hitter.

Negatives: Hit .222 against right-handed starters….was 0-3 with two strikeouts when nobody was out….went 0-2 with runners in scoring position….hit .247 in 59 games at Memphis.

Overview: You wonder if Huffman ever would have gotten called up if he wasn’t a former teammate and a friend of Matt Carpenter.  There was nothing that really stood out in his Memphis time.  Of course, they didn’t need anyone to play regularly and it’s not like they were going to hamper his development.  Still, adding him to the 40-man and adding him into the mix didn’t seem to be a big deal and, indeed, never really paid any big dividends.  Huffman actually stayed on the 40-man until later in the year when Harrison Bader was brought up.  He got picked up by the Nationals organization after that but hit just .203 for them.

Outlook: Minor leagues are full of organizational soldiers like Huffman.  There are plenty of them and they are basically interchangeable.  It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Huffman playing AAA ball for someone next year, hoping for another few days in the big leagues.

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