The International League announced today that Columbus outfielder Richie Shaffer and Rochester left-handed starter Nik Turley have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher of the Week for the period from June 5-11. Turley, who is currently in the Major Leagues with Minnesota, joins two-time Pitcher of the Week Jose
The International League announced today that Columbus outfielder Richie Shaffer and Rochester left-handed starter Nik Turley have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher of the Week for the period from June 5-11. Turley, who is currently in the Major Leagues with Minnesota, joins two-time Pitcher of the Week Jose Berrios to give the Red Wings three weekly awards so far this season, tied with Charlotte for most in the IL. Shaffer is now a three-time IL Batter of the Week, having claimed the honor during each of the past two seasons while with Durham. He is the second Columbus player to be so honored in 2017, following pitcher Mike Clevinger (April 10-16).
Over the past seven days, Columbus outfielder Richie Shaffer hit .414 and was atop the International League leaderboard with three homers, nine RBI, six extra-base hits, and 24 total bases. He got his week off to a roaring start Monday against Louisville when he crushed a 3rd inning grand slam to propel the Clippers to a 15-5 triumph. Shaffer also doubled on Monday, marking the first of five multi-hit games for the week. For the season, Shaffer now has 13 home runs and 48 RBI, which are both totals that trail the League leader by just one.
26-year-old Richie Shaffer is in his sixth season as a professional player, and first with the Cleveland organization. He was Tampa Bay's 1st-round choice in the 2012 draft, and ultimately saw action in 51 games with the Rays in 2015-16 before a wild offseason in which he was traded to Seattle in November, claimed by Philadelphia and then Cincinnati in December, and finally claimed by the Indians in January. Shaffer is a native of Flemington, New Jersey.
