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Maryland Baseball: Terps have strong Day 2 at MLB Draft

By Chris Bengel

Dec 26, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Maryland Terrapins mascot Testudo prior to the game against the Boston College Eagles at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Maryland Terrapins mascot Testudo prior to the game against the Boston College Eagles at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Maryland baseball team had a strong 2017 season in which they reached the NCAA Tournament.

On Tuesday, shortstop Kevin Smith and pitcher Brian Shaffer were selected on the second of the MLB Draft.

Smith was the first Terrapin off the board in the fourth round (No. 129 overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays. Shaffer was scooped up by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth round (No. 172).

According to MLB.com, Smith stands to make approximately $405,100 if he signs. Shaffer would make $269,100 if he elects to sign with Arizona.

Smith was always viewed as Maryland’s highest regarded prospect entering the 2017 season.

The New York native thrived in the Cape Cod League last summer. In 41 games, Smith hit .301 with two home runs and 14 RBIs for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.

Smith also stroked 12 doubles throughout the summer.

Many thought Smith had the potential to be a first round pick, but he struggled at times throughout the 2017 season for the Terps.

The shortstop hit .268 over the course of the 2017 season. Smith did hit a team-high 13 home runs and 48 RBIs while owning .552 slugging percentage.

Smith did end the season strong with a huge performance in Maryland’s 16-2 NCAA Tournament win over UMBC. He hit a pair of home runs and knocked in six RBIs for the Terps.

Maryland suffered a big blow when star pitcher Mike Shawaryn was drafted by the Boston Red Sox following the 2016 season. However, the Terps received a superb performance from Shaffer this season.

Shaffer finished the 2017 season with a 7-4 record and a 2.66 ERA. He registered 109 strikeouts and walked just 18 throughout the campaign.

The Maryland native was one of the top pitchers in the conference, which earned him Big Ten Pitcher of the Year honors. He was one of three Terps that recorded at least seven wins along with Tyler Blohm and Taylor Bloom/

He was one of three pitchers selected by the Diamondbacks over the first two days of the draft.

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Shaffer and Smith both have the potential to be very productive players in the majors someday. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see both sign with the respective teams that drafted them.

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