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Low-scoring Rays seek a jolt of power from Richie Shaffer

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The Tampa Bay Rays are looking for power. Now, they think that prospect Richie Shaffer may be able to provide it.

The Rays, last in the American League in scoring, have promoted Shaffer, a power-hitting first baseman, to the big club. Shaffer has 23 home runs at Durham and Montgomery this season. He had 19 a year ago. He is only hitting .262, and he only hit .222 last season, so Shaffer might not quite be ready. But given the offensive woes, who can afford to wait?

Shaffer was the team’s No. 1 draft pick out of Clemson in 2012.

Shaffer was expected to join the team in time for Monday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox.

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Gary Shelton is one of the most recognized and honored sportswriters in the history of the state. He has won the APSE's national columnist of the year twice and finished in the top 10 eight times. He was named the Florida Sportswriter of the Year six times. Gary joined SaintPetersBlog in the spring, helping to bring a sports presence to the website. Over his time in sports writing, Gary has covered 29 Super Bowls, 10 Olympics, Final Fours, Masters, Wimbledons and college national championships. He was there when the Bucs won a Super Bowl, when the Lightning won a Stanley Cup and when the Rays went to a World Series. He has seen Florida, FSU and Miami all win national championships, and he covered Bear Bryant, Bobby Bowden and Don Shula along the way. He and his wife Janet have four children: Eric, Kevin, K.C. and Tori. To contact, visit [email protected].

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