He played seven seasons in the minors with the Fresno California State League club (1905), San Francisco Orphans (1908), Fresno Tigers/Raisin Growers (1908–1910), Portland Beavers (1911), Oakland Oaks (1915), Salt Lake City Bees (1916), Waco Navigators (1916), and Dallas Giants (1917).

During his playing career, Kuhn stood at 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) and weighed 162 pounds (73 kg).

After playing for various minor league clubs, Kuhn was drafted into the United States Armed Forces during World War I.

On that team, he played with former, and future major league players Frank Chance, Roy Hitt, Pete Lohman, Judge Nagle, and Jud Smith.

[6] After the season, it was reported that the Major League Baseball (MLB) New York Highlanders were interested in purchasing Kuhn for the price of US$2,000.

[7] Kuhn again played with the Fresno California League team in 1910, who changed their name back to the Tigers.

[9] During the final game of the Pacific Coast League Pennant Series, Kuhn hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Beavers the win.

[10] On the season with Portland, he batted .228 with 79 hits, 11 doubles, four triples, and two home runs in 120 games played.

[11] Billy Sullivan, Chicago's starting catcher at the time, stated that Kuhn would be a successful major league player.

He finished the season fifth in the American League in defensive games as a catcher (75); and tied for fifth with Eddie Ainsmith, Oscar Stanage, and Ed Sweeney in passed balls (9).

[18] With Chicago that season, Kuhn batted .160 with five runs scored, eight hits, one doubles, and five RBIs in 26 games played.

After the season, he stated that he wanted to return to the Pacific Coast League and play with the San Francisco Seals.

[18] Kuhn re-signed with the Chicago White Sox in February 1914, despite his previous statement in which he said he would like to return to the Pacific Coast League.

[26] In August, Kuhn took over for the Oaks every-day catcher, Rowdy Elliott, who was also serving as Oakland's manager.

[28] Later that season, Kuhn signed with the Double-A Salt Lake City Bees of the Pacific Coast League.

[37] An investigation by the Fresno Police Department determined that Kuhn committed suicide because of his failing health over the years.