Former Clemson standout to get MLB call up

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Sun Aug 02 21:20:25 GMT-04:00 2015

Former Clemson standout Richie Shaffer Richie Shaffer
3rd Base (2010 - 2012)
#8 6-3, 205
Charlotte, NC
View Full Profile is expected to be called up from Triple-A Durham to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday according to multiple reports.

Shaffer was pulled in the 7th inning of Sunday night's Durham Bulls baseball game and was seen hugging players and coaches. He is currently traveling on his way to Chicago for Monday night's White Sox vs Rays game at U.S. Cellular Field.

In 2015, Shaffer has hit .261 with 24 home runs and 59 RBIs in 92 games. Shaffer has hit 16 of those 24 home runs since being promoted to Triple-A (only 54 games). He has logged the majority of his games at Durham at third base with a few games at first base.

He led all Tampa Bay Rays prospects with 19 dingers in 2014.

The former Clemson product was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round (25th overall) of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

Official Clemson Bio - Team co-captain in 2012...corner infielder who has tremendous power...one of the best defensive first-basemen in Clemson history...started most of his games at first base in 2010 and 2011, but is slated to make the move to third base in 2012...a career .318 hitter with a .555 slugging percentage and .426 on-base percentage in 111 games (107 starts) over two seasons...has 26 doubles, two triples, 20 homers, 91 RBIs, 107 runs, 62 walks, 14 hit-by-pitches, and 10 steals...has committed only three errors in his career (.996 fielding percentage)...two-time All-ACC Academic selection...preseason second-team All-American by Perfect Game...preseason first-team All-ACC by CollegeSportsMadness.com...#12 player in the nation in the preseason by College Baseball Daily...#13 prospect in the nation for the 2012 draft in the preseason by Baseball America...#13 junior in the nation in the preseason by Baseball America.

Shaffer posted on his Twitter account thanks to everyone that has supported him throughout his journey to the major leagues.

Wow... Can't describe this feeling right now. So thankful for this opportunity and grateful to all the people throughout my life that made..
— Richie Shaffer (@Rshaff8) August 3, 2015

Today possible for me. All the love and support has been amazing and I'm so incredibly fortunate to have such an incredible support system..
— Richie Shaffer (@Rshaff8) August 3, 2015