http://www.examiner.com/gateway-griz...atlanta-braves
Aaron Shafer’s young baseball career has been one of ups and downs but Shafer appears to be back on the way up.
Shafer was selected by the Chicago Cubs with the 65th overall pick in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft but was released after just two complete seasons with the organization.
Shafer, 24, needed just two starts with the Gateway Grizzlies from the Frontier League to earn a second opportunity in affiliated baseball.
Shafer’s contract was purchased by the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday and will report to the Lynchburgh Hillcats. The Hillcats are the Carolina League Advanced-A Affiliate for the the Braves organization.
Shafer was dominant in his brief stint with the Grizzlies. The Moscow Mills, Mo., native posted a 0.61 earned run average and earned the win in both of his starts.
Shafer struck out 17 batters while allowing just 10 hits in 14 2/3 innings pitched for the Grizzlies. Shafer tossed 8 2/3 scoreless innings in his last start against the Evansville Otters.
“We are very excited to add Aaron Shafer to the Braves organization,” said Braves Assistant Director of Player Development Ronnie Richardson in a press release issued by Gateway. “He will have an opportunity to pitch and continue his development in our minor league system.”
Shafer won 11 games as a freshman at Wichita State University, earning Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. The 6-5 right-handed hurler notched eight wins during his sophomore campaign and left college after being selected by the Cubs in the second round.
Shafer went a combined 2-2 with an ERA of 3.00 with the Cubs Arizona League Rookie ball affiliate and Low-A Boise in 2008. In 2009 he posted an 11-8 record in 24 starts for Single-A Peoria.
The Cubs converted Shafer to a reliever in 2010 and he excelled out of the bullpen. Shafter posted 0.96 ERA in 24 relief appearances with High-A Dayton and was named to the Florida State League All-Star team.
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Shafer was promoted to Double-A Tennessee, where he went 2-2 with a 5.03 ERA in 25 appearances before getting released.
Aaron’s older brother Jake, who has been with the Grizzlies since 2010, convinced his younger brother to come play for Gateway and is proud of his former teammate.
“The opportunity to play with my brother was something special for me because we hadn't played together since I was 18,” the older Shafer said. “He had a bit of a shot to the gut whenever he got released by the Cubs with really no good explanation. He just needed to throw some innings and if he throws like he did that last outing then there’s no stopping him.”
Shafer got a shot to start for Gateway manager Phil Warren and he never looked back.
“The biggest thing Randy (Martz) and I did for him was to give him an opportunity to play with no pressure,” Warren said. “We gave him a shot to start, which is what he was built to do, but wasn’t given much of a shot to do for the Cubs. Just go out there and give it your best shot and see where it takes you.
“A lot of times guys get here to Independent ball and don’t know what to expect but can just go out there and play and see what happens. With him that’s what happened and things just clicked.”
Warren believes that given the right chances Shafer could have a bright future.
“I look forward to watching his career with the Braves,” Warren said. “If he stays healthy who knows where he ends up. He’s in a great organization for pitching with the Braves. For the most part they part let how you do and perform speak for itself and I’m happy for him.”