Five years ago, Cougars pitcher Brian Shaffer was just another face in a crowded recruiting picture.
Heading into his senior year at North Harford High School in Pylesville, Md., Shaffer finally received interest from Maryland. He took that opportunity and developed into the 2017 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year.
Shaffer was drafted last year in the sixth round by the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he’s now a mainstay in the Kane County’s rotation.
He remembers it all.
“When I was young, I didn’t make some teams,” Shaffer said. “There were people who doubted me, just like anybody else. That just lit a fire.
“I didn’t have many offers for college. Maryland was the first one to offer. I jumped right on it.”
When he got to College Park, however, the 6-foot-5 right-hander wondered if he truly belonged.
“I thought I was going to redshirt,” Shaffer said. “There were kids in my recruiting class throwing 96 (mph). I’m topping out at 91. I was a skinny little 170-pound kid then.
“I just didn’t think I had a chance. I put my head down and got to work.”
He developed into a weekend starter as a freshman and carried that success through his sophomore year.
As a junior, Shaffer became an ace, striking out 109 and walking only 18 in 108 1/3 innings in being named a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist. He had a 20-8 record in his Maryland career.
When he was drafted 172nd overall, the decision to sign was an easy one.
“It was cool,” Shaffer said. “It was a weird feeling knowing that my life is going to completely change.
“When the Diamondbacks called, I was like, ‘The Diamondbacks? Who are the Diamondbacks?’ I couldn’t have come to a better place.”
In his first pro season, he issued only one walk in 24 innings. He’s carried the success over to this year. He’s 2-5 after dropping his last three decisions, but still boasts a 3.43 ERA with 64 strikeouts and 18 walks in 65 2/3 innings.
Shaffer features a fastball that sits between 89-91 mph, a change-up and a slider with an occasional slow curve.
“His delivery is smooth, very fluid,” Cougars pitching coach Rich Sauveur said. “He has a very nice delivery, good direction. Having an idea of what he wants to do on the mound with every pitch helps.
“He knows how to pitch. He’s got three decent pitches that he throws for strikes. That helps cutting down the walks.”
Shaffer recently received a planned break, going nine days between starts to help limit his innings and rest his arm. He struggled in two losses since, allowing four earned runs in both outings.
He felt he had a breakthrough in Tuesday’s 7-0 loss to Cedar Rapids, however.
“It’s just having confidence in myself,” Shaffer said. “It came back a couple of nights ago. In the first inning, I was thinking about my previous outings.
“I was trying so hard to be better than that. I just started trying to place the ball and it didn’t work. I came to my senses and was like, what am I doing? Hopefully that sparks it back up.”
Sauveur is not concerned about Shaffer’s recent stretch.
“The stuff prior to his little break was good, sharp breaking balls, fastballs were running, good sink,” Sauveur said. “I expect him to pick it up after his last few outings, I really do. He’s a great kid. I like him a lot.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
