COLLEGE PARK, Md. – University of Maryland junior shortstop Kevin Smith and junior right-handed pitcher Brian Shaffer were selected on day two of the 2017 MLB Draft Tuesday. Smith was picked in the fourth round (129th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays and Shaffer was taken in the sixth round (172nd overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Smith, who ranks eighth all-time in Maryland history with 28 home runs, had the best power season of his career, leading the Terps with a .552 slugging percentage and ending the season tied for the team lead with 13 home runs. Smith had four multi home run games and also led Maryland with 48 RBIs. He sits 10th in school history with 117 RBIs.
A freshman All-American in 2015, Smith shined in the postseason throughout his career, earning Big Ten All-Tournament Team honors in 2015 and 2017. He started 176 games in a Maryland uniform and along with Shaffer, helped Maryland to two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Super Regional in 2015.
Shaffer was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year finishing the regular season with the ninth best ERA in the country (1.67). For the entire season, Shaffer notched 109 strikeouts to just 18 walks in 108 and a third innings pitched. That strikeout total ranks fifth all-time in school history for a single season, and his innings pitched mark ranks third. He was selected as Big Ten Pitcher of the Week on two occasions.
For his career, Shaffer's 20 wins ranks tied for second in school history behind Mike Shawaryn, who was selected in last year's MLB Draft. His 273 innings pitched sits fourth in program history and his 236 strikeouts ties him for fifth with former big leaguer Eric Milton for fifth on the school's all-time list. Shaffer was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist this season. He was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team in 2016.
The 2017 MLB Draft concludes with rounds 11-40 on Wednesday. Coverage can be seen on MLB.com beginning at noon.
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