• Full name Richard Michael Shaffer
  • Born 03/15/1991 in Flemington, NJ
  • Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Clemson
  • Debut 08/03/2015
  • Drafted in the 1st round (25th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012 (signed for $1,710,000).
    View Draft Report
    Shaffer was a candidate for the first two rounds of the 2009 coming out of high school in Charlotte, and he dazzled scouts with his batting practice sessions because of his leveraged swing and plus raw power. But a broken hamate bone dropped him to the 25th round, and he declined to sign with the Dodgers and headed to Clemson. Three years later he was leading Clemson's offense with a .351/.481/.600 line and nine home runs, and more walks (47) than strikeouts (39), so his bat should get him into the first round. From a lean, 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame, Shaffer has big-time power that hasn't been affected by college baseball's less-potent bats. He also hits for average, succeeding even against premium velocity, and can use the whole field. He has a chance to stay at third and has the arm strength for the position, but most teams see him moving to first base. His arm and power would also profile in right field, and some teams like him better there.

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Minor League Top Prospects

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Tampa Bay Rays in 2013
  • Rated Best Hitter for Average in the Tampa Bay Rays in 2013

Scouting Reports

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