The Rangers have designated right-hander Tyler Phillips for assignment, the club announced. The move opens up a 40-man roster spot for top prospect Sam Huff, who has been activated from the 60-day injured list and been optioned to Double-A Frisco.
Huff underwent knee surgery back in April, and it seems quite possible that without that injury, he might already be back in the majors. Huff has yet to play at Triple-A ball and he has only 14 plate appearances at the Double-A level, but the Rangers thought enough of his performance at their alternate training site last season that they promoted Huff to the big leagues in September. From there, Huff hit three home runs and posted a 1.136 OPS over 33 PA, providing a tantalizing glimpse into his potential as a slugging cornerstone of a future Rangers lineup.
It remains to be seen if Huff will get any time at catcher, as he has played exclusively as a first baseman this season. It could be that Texas is just easing Huff back into things in the wake of his knee surgery, and he’ll eventually get some action behind the plate before the year is out. Assuming Huff continues to rake at Double-A and then at Triple-A, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him receive another September call-up before the year is out, as the Rangers could then be eyeing him as a candidate for more regular big-league duty for 2022.
A 16th-round pick for Texas in the 2015 draft, Phillips posted solid numbers in the lower levels of the farm system but began to hit some struggles in Double-A, and his Triple-A debut this season has been even more problematic. Phillips has a 9.90 ERA over 10 Triple-A frames, with more walks (12) than strikeouts (11). These control issues are a troubling new development for Phillips, as limiting walks was a strength for the right-hander over his first five pro seasons.
I have a question, you guys would know better that I about this. I am a Braves fan, but the ship was sinking before Acuna’s injury, and now the MF has sunk. Would it be disrespectful to Freddie Freeman is the suits came to him and and said….”This season, it’s over Freddie. You don’t want to have to be apart of this. Let us trade you to a contender, get some nice pieces back in return while you go and get yourself a ring. After the season, forget about the hometown discount crap, the Atlanta Braves will make you the highest paid player offer for a 1st baseman. You come back to Atlanta and we will have the pieces we need from trading you to a contender to make several runs at a World Series.” Would this be disrespectful to ask this of Freddie? Could the Braves pay up??
How much do you expect to get for a 1-year rental of Freddie Freeman exactly? Lol
Its a good question
I don’t view it as a problem as long as their is solid communication with Freeman and the FO prior to the dealing
As common as this thinking is by us posters it hardly ever gets applied in real life –
Aroldis Chapman is the one Big example I can think of –
Was flipped to Cubs by Yanks for Torres, helped win Cubs a ring then back to Yankees 6 months later
Freeman WOULD def net something nice but I don’t see it happening w Voigt and Joc just brought IN the last 48 hrs . Most likely you’ll just see him play out the year in ATL
Huff’s an interesting prospect for the Rangers, but I wonder if he’ll get any MLB AB’s this year. They might hold him back until next year.
Gee Sam Huff is remarkably well preserved playing for the New York Giants all those years ago and especially at Linebacker
Surprised it was Phillips that’s gone but I think he was hurt so maybe they can get him through waivers. My guess someone takes him. Think Huff gets so ab’s at the end of the year.
Can’t wait for Huff to get his chance. He’s hit two 500’ HR’s in the last couple weeks.
Why doesn’t the GM get rid of Woodward? He’s a joke. Rangers have some talent but he isn’t the answer to rebuilding them. Bring in a former player like David Murphy or someone who actually knows the game from experience.