2012 MLB Draft: Rays Select Richie Shaffer 25th Overall

The Rays are known for going for almost exclusively high school players in the early rounds of the MLB Draft. But when Clemson third baseman Richie Shaffer dropped to them, they could not pass him up.

Shaffer, a 6’3″, 205 third baseman for Clemson, was rumored to go as high as number 11 to the Oakland Athletics before slipping to the Rays at 25th Overall. Once again, Shaffer isn’t a high school pick like the Rays usually go for. But everything else about him screams Rays.

Shaffer is best known for his outstanding power. Shaffer shows great bat speed and hits for excellent present power. He is at his best when he lets his power come naturally. He has a gap to gap approach and when he sees a pitch he can drive, he does just that. Shaffer has very good plate discipline and doesn’t force anything at the plate. He’s more than willing to draw walks and wait for a pitch he can put a good swing on. Shaffer’s swing does get a little long when he tries to sell out for power and that’s when he really swings and misses a lot. Shaffer is a guy who is going to swing and miss, especially on good offspeed pitches, but he may struck out a somewhat less than most power hitters. Shaffer has the upside of about a .280 hitter with 35 homers and a .360 OBP. In the history of the Tampa Bay Rays, only Carlos Pena in 2007 has ever achieved those numbers. Shaffer has a chance to do that yearly.

Defensively, Shaffer played primarily first base as a freshman and sophomore before moving across the diamond to third base his junior year. At the hot corner, Shaffer showcased his nice athleticism, showing solid actions with the type of plus-arm the third base position entails. Shaffer has a definite chance to remain at third base, where his would be especially notable, but if he moves back to first base he has the ability to be a plus defender. The Rays will keep him at third base for now and worry about putting him back on first with Evan Longoria on third base when he cracks the big league roster. Shaffer will probably be a regular first baseman in the big leagues with Longoria at third, but the Rays could give him time at all four corner positions while he’s in the minors. He has enough arm strength to profile fine in right field if the Rays decide to move him there.

The final part of Shaffer’s game had to make him appeal to the Rays even more. Shaffer is a passionate player on the field and a vocal leader. He’s not afraid to show his emotions on the field, especially after big moments. For a franchise that considers clubhouse chemistry key, Shaffer will fit right in.

Richie Shaffer is a great fit for the Rays thanks to his power, plate discipline, defensive ability and intangibles. He’s not the type of player they usually draft, coming out of college, but they saw an opportunity for a great value pick and a player who fits in win with their team mindset. Shaffer is a safer pick for the Rays, never a bad thing, and he has star potential for the Rays moving forward.

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For more on the Rays’ draft picks in 2012 please check the Rays 2012 Draft Profiles page over at Rays Colored Glasses.