Richie Shaffer
Shaffer batting for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 spring training
Third baseman / First baseman
Born: (1991-03-15) March 15, 1991
Flemington, New Jersey, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 3, 2015, for the Tampa Bay Rays
Last MLB appearance
October 2, 2016, for the Tampa Bay Rays
MLB statistics
Batting average.213
Home runs5
Runs batted in10
Teams

Richard Michael Shaffer (born March 15, 1991) is an American former professional baseball third baseman and first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays. Since retiring from baseball, he is a live video gaming personality on the streaming platform Twitch, performing under the character name "Dicky Danger". He has also begun to pursue writing and in October 2020 published his debut novel: The Eight of Earth: A Novel.

Career

Amateur

Shaffer was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 25th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft out of Providence High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. He did not sign and attended Clemson University.[1] During his college baseball career with the Clemson Tigers, he hit .325/.449/.562 with 30 home runs and 137 runs batted in. In 2011, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[2]

Shaffer at MacDill Air Force Base in 2013

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays selected Shaffer in the first round, with the 25th overall selection, of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.[3][4] He made his professional debut for the Hudson Valley Renegades of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League, hitting .308/.406/.487 and four home runs in 33 games.[5] In 2013, he played for the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, hitting .254/.308/.399 with 11 home runs.[6] He played in the Arizona Fall League after the season.[7] He started the 2014 season for the Montgomery Biscuits of the Class AA Southern League.

Shaffer began the 2015 season with the Biscuits, and received a midseason promotion to the Durham Bulls of the Class AAA International League. On August 3, 2015, the Rays promoted Shaffer to the major leagues.[8] Shaffer ended his 2016 season with a .250 batting average.

Seattle Mariners

On November 18, 2016, the Rays traded Shaffer and Taylor Motter to the Seattle Mariners for Andrew Kittredge, Dalton Kelly and Dylan Thompson.[9] Shaffer was designated for assignment by the Mariners on December 7, after acquiring Chris Heston.[10]

Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies claimed Shaffer off of waivers on December 14.[11] He was designated for assignment by Philadelphia on December 20.[12]

Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds claimed him off waivers from the Phillies on December 23.[13]

Cleveland Indians

Shaffer fielding for the Columbus Clippers in 2018

Shaffer was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians on January 26, 2017,[14] and then designated for assignment by them on January 30.[15] Shaffer was subsequently outrighted to the minor leagues on February 2, 2017. He was released from the organization on June 6, 2018.

Shaffer with the Columbus Clippers in 2018

Milwaukee Brewers

Shaffer was signed to a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on July 20, 2018. After being signed, he was sent to Triple A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. He became a free agent after the season.[16]

High Point Rockers

On April 11, 2019, Shaffer signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the season.

References

  1. ↑ Sawchik, Travis (May 29, 2012). "Tigers Shaffer may not get to display power". The Post and Courier. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  2. ↑ "#47 Richie Shaffer". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  3. ↑ Chastain, Bill (June 4, 2012). "Clemson's Shaffer selected by Rays at No. 25". Tampa Bay Rays. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  4. ↑ Smith, Joe (June 4, 2012). "Tampa Bay Rays pick Clemson third baseman Richie Shaffer in first round". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  5. ↑ Forde, Craig (August 21, 2012). "Rays first-round pick Richie Shaffer making most of Mass. trips, pro ball". Boston.com. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  6. ↑ Berry, Adam (January 16, 2014). "Shaffer impressed Rays with effort in first year". Tampa Bay Rays. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  7. ↑ Mayo, Jonathan (October 26, 2013). "Shaffer hoping to use AFL to work on versatility". Tampa Bay Rays. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  8. ↑ Topkin, Marc (August 2, 2015). "Richie Shaffer gets big league call". The News & Observer. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  9. ↑ Johns, Greg (November 18, 2016). "Mariners add Shaffer, Motter, Pazos in 2 trades". Major League Baseball. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  10. ↑ Jackson, Josh (December 14, 2016). "Phillies add slugger Shaffer off waivers". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  11. ↑ Dutton, Bob (December 14, 2016). "Mariners lose Richie Shaffer on waivers to Phillies". Tacoma News Tribune. Retrieved January 31, 2017 – via Detroit Free Press.
  12. ↑ Kruth, Cash (December 20, 2016). "Phillies acquire Buchholz from Red Sox". Boston Red Sox. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  13. ↑ Adler, David (December 23, 2016). "Reds claim Shaffer, Jenkins off waivers". Major League Baseball. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  14. ↑ Hoynes, Paul (January 26, 2017). "Cleveland Indians drop slugger Jesus Aguilar for infielder Richie Shaffer". Cleveland.com. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Indians acquire right-hander Carlos Frias from Dodgers for cash". ESPN. Associated Press. January 30, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  16. ↑ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2018). "Minor League Free Agents 2018". Baseball America. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
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