The Big Ten Conference's top pitcher was not the top recruit in Maryland three years ago. He was not the state's best right-handed pitching prospect, or even the sixth best. On Perfect Game, the high school scouting service that ranked him the nation's No. 484 right-hander in the Class of 2014, his profile page did not even have a mug shot.
Asked Tuesday about this apparent misevaluation (and possible clerical error), Brian Shaffer — thrower of strikes, bringer of heat — was unsparing. "I think all that," the Maryland junior said, "was correct."
He smiled sheepishly.