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Jun 04, 2012 - Jun 06, 2012     
TBD - ,
Richie Shaffer
3B RHP, SS 6-3 190   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle
2/17/12: As a power-hitting corner infielder from Clemson, Shaffer is acknowledged as one of the top prospects in this year’s college draft class, and he’s been down this path before. Shaffer, a former PG/Aflac All-American, held essentially the same lofty draft position three years ago, heading into his senior year at a Charlotte, N.C., high school, only to tumble all the way to the 25th round when a series of hand- and hamstring-related injuries adversely impacted his season. That series of events conveniently paved the way for the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Shaffer to attend college at Clemson, and while he has enjoyed two productive seasons to date, he will face a new set of challenges as a junior as he seeks to land in the first round in June. Shaffer topped Clemson in every key power category as a sophomore—homers (13), RBIs (55), total bases (128) and slugging (.577), while also hitting .315 and drawing a team-high 44 walks—and did so with plenty of support in the middle of the Tigers batting order. With the departure of four of the team’s top hitters from a year ago, Shaffer is the only established returning bat and could be afforded much less protection this spring. He could conceivably end up being pitched around extensively. He has also been moved across the diamond to third base, after establishing himself as a superior first baseman defensively in his first two years, when he committed just three errors at the position. The hot corner is hardly new to Shaffer, however, as he played that position extensively in high school and filled in there briefly a year ago as an injury replacement. According to scouts who saw him in the fall and pre-season, he has made a smooth transition to third, displaying easy, fluid, balanced actions as he moved to the ball, along with good range and surprising ability to reach balls going to his left with his unusually long reach. It’s unclear yet whether he’ll have the footwork needed to play the position on an everyday basis at the next level. He lacks the foot speed needed to play in the middle infield. The obvious advantage that Shaffer has in moving from first to third is an opportunity to take full advantage of his superior arm strength, which was essentially wasted at first base. He was a significant pitching prospect while in high school, with a 90-plus fastball, but has not taken a turn on the mound in two years at Clemson. Not only has Shaffer impressed scouts with his velocity across the diamond, but he has greatly improved his ability to throw from different angles. The one tool that sets Shaffer aside as a prospect, though, is his raw power potential. He has homered 20 times in his two seasons at Clemson, while hitting .318 overall, and his power ranked among the very best in the Cape Cod League last summer, when he hit .263-6-22 and was second in homers. Shaffer’s power is most evident in batting practice, where he can drive balls out of the park with an easy pull/lift approach. He hits from a tall, relaxed, pro-style stance with high hands and an easy flow into the ball. Appropriately, he won the Cape League Home Run Derby against a strong field with six blasts over Fenway Park’s Green Monster. He has impressive bat speed in his athletic frame and his ceiling as a power hitter may end up becoming as great as any slugger in the 2012 college draft class, once he fully matures physically. Shaffer’s basic hitting tools are also considered some of the most polished and advanced in the college ranks. His swing tended to get a little long as a sophomore, and he would often struggle with breaking balls and spin off pitches, resulting in 53 strikeouts in 65 games. But his athleticism and exceptional hands have normally enabled him to make easy adjustments at the plate, and he has made significant strides since in tightening his swing. Everything appeared to click for him at the plate in the second half of the Cape season, and he will only enhance his chances of being drafted in the first round in June with continued improvement at the plate this spring—providing he can avoid some of the pitfalls that derailed his 2009 season in his last go-around in the draft.




Jun 30, 2009 - Jul 06, 2009   South Charlotte Panthers 2009  12
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Richie Shaffer
3B RHP, SS 6-3 190   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Oct 23, 2008 - Oct 27, 2008   South Charlotte Panthers  12
Roger Dean Complex - Jupiter, FL
Richie Shaffer
3B RHP, SS 6-3 190   R/R
FB
88
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
83-88
CB
71
SL
79
CH
79
Split
Knuckle




Aug 01, 2008 - Aug 01, 2008   EAST  
Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles, CA
Richie Shaffer
3B RHP, SS 6-3 190   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jul 08, 2008 - Jul 14, 2008   South Charlotte Panthers 2010  12
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Richie Shaffer
3B RHP, SS 6-3 190   R/R
FB
89
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
68
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jul 01, 2008 - Jul 07, 2008   South Charlotte Panthers 2009  12
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Richie Shaffer
3B RHP, SS 6-3 190   R/R
FB
86
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
83-86
CB
71
SL
CH
65
Split
Knuckle




Jun 13, 2008 - Jun 15, 2008   Navy  21
Metrodome - Minneapolis, MN
Richie Shaffer
3B RHP, SS 6-3 190   R/R
FB
90
60
6.84
40
OF
IF
91
1B
C
Pop
Range
85-89
CB
69
SL
CH
74
Split
Knuckle
Richie Shaffer is a 2009 3B/SS/P with a 6'3'', 190 lb. frame from Charlotte, NC who attends Providence. Shaffer has a very athletic strong build and can do it all. He has very fluid infield actions and has hands work well. He throws easy with great carry across the diamond topping out at 91mph. He has good bat speed at the plate and the ball flies off his bat. He has easy power and can drive the ball to all fields. He has huge power potential and his bat projects very large with some minor adjustments. He also can get on the mound and topped out at 90 at the Metrodome, with more to come. Shaffer is an outstanding baseball player and a top 2009 draft follow. He is also an very good student and has verbally committed to Clemson. Aflac All American
PG Grade 10.0




Baseball Web TV Video | See this player's personally updated Skillshow ACT profile & videos ACT Profile
Richie Shaffer Hitting 2008 National Showcase
Richie Shaffer 60 2008 National Showcase
Richie Shaffer IF 2008 National Showcase
Richie Shaffer P 2008 National Showcase
Oct 25, 2007 - Oct 29, 2007   South Charlotte Panthers  12
Roger Dean Complex - Jupiter, FL
Richie Shaffer
3B RHP, SS 6-3 180   R/R
FB
88
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
87-88
CB
67
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jul 17, 2007 - Jul 22, 2007   South Charlotte Panthers  12
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Richie Shaffer
3B RHP, SS 6-2 170   R/R
FB
82
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
78-82
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jul 10, 2007 - Jul 16, 2007   South Charlotte Panthers  12
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Richie Shaffer
3B RHP, SS 6-2 170   R/R
FB
87
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
84-87
CB
65
SL
CH
75
Split
Knuckle




Jul 03, 2007 - Jul 09, 2007   South Charlotte Panthers  12
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Richie Shaffer
3B RHP, SS 6-2 170   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jun 27, 2006 - Jul 02, 2006   Charlotte Megastars  8
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Richie Shaffer
3B RHP, SS 6-2 170   R/R
FB
81
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
65
SL
78
CH
Split
Knuckle