MLB DRAFT: Schaeffer hopes to make next step in journey

Jul. 17—SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Brandon Schaeffer's journey from high school ace to NCAA Division I college baseball pitcher didn't follow a typical route.

The Schuylkill Haven product is hoping there's one more stop on that journey.

Schaeffer is hoping to hear his name called when the Major League Baseball Amateur Player Draft is held today through Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Moved from early June to July for the first time, the MLB Draft begins at 7 tonight and will be televised live by MLB Network. Tonight's portion will consist of the first two rounds, two compensatory rounds and two Competitive Balance rounds — 80 picks in all.

Rounds 3-10 will be held Monday, starting at 2 p.m., with the remainder of the draft being held Tuesday, also starting at 2 p.m.

Schaeffer, a 22-year-old left-hander, went 7-3 with a 3.75 ERA in 21 appearances (18 starts) this season for North Carolina, helping the Tar Heels go 42-22, win the ACC Tournament and reach the Sweet 16 of college baseball, the NCAA Super Regionals, before losing to Arkansas.

"It would be really cool," Schaeffer said on the possibility of hearing his name called. "I smile just thinking about it, because that's been my goal since I can remember. All the crazy experiences, the ups and downs, the whole roller coaster ride I've been on, for it to end up that way ... it would be really satisfying to see that the hard work that I've put in, and my family, friends and coaches and everybody along the way who has helped me, to say 'I did it.'

"It would be really special. It would be an awesome day."

The fact that Schaeffer is even in this position is a testament to his hard work and perseverance.

Schaeffer earned Republican Herald All-Area Pitcher of the Year honors as a junior and All-Area Player of the Year honors as a senior during a stellar high school career at Schuylkill Haven.

During those two seasons as the Haven ace, the Lake Wynonah resident pitched the Hurricanes to two Schuylkill League Division II titles, two trips to the Schuylkill League finals, the 2018 District 11 Class AA title and the 2018 PIAA Class AA state semifinals.

Despite all of his high school accomplishments, Schaeffer wasn't heavily recruited. He settled on WVU Potomac State College, a junior college located in Keyser, West Virginia.

"When I was playing here in high school, I didn't know if college was going to be in the picture for me," Schaeffer said. "I had very few offers coming out of high school. I thought I needed some more development.

"My coach at the time told me junior college would be a good route to go, so I went home and Googled 'Juco schools near me'. The three schools in Region XX (20) came up, which were Potomac State, Harford and Hagerstown. I ended up going to Potomac State. That was the only one of the three that reached out to me.

"I just worked hard ... just good, old-fashioned hard work, nothing fancy. Got better over those two years ... COVID was in there, so it ended up being three years. I just got a lot better."

Body Building

Schaeffer was a skinny, scrawny left-hander in his early years at Schuylkill Haven and made it a point to improve his physical stature during his high school years.

He worked with Pottsville trainer Ed Daubert while in high school, then began working out with Russ Frantz of NextPlay Sports in Wayne Township.

Schaeffer went through a growth spurt in high school and bulked up over that time. Now 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, he credits that devotion to physical training in helping him build the endurance and stamina needed to pitch at a high level.

"I work with some younger guys now and I always tell them, 'It's not an overnight thing. It takes time,'" Schaeffer said. "You have to show up at the gym every day, eat right every day, get your sleep. That really helps you grow into your frame."

Schaeffer said he does more cardio now that he's gotten older, but still continues to lift weights and has incorporated yoga into his workout regimen. His goal is continue to get bigger and stronger, but maintain his cardiovascular shape and mobility.

"As a starter, you're throwing 100 pitches a game. When you think about it, a game takes three hours. You have to be on top of your game for at least two of those hours," Schaeffer said. "As a reliever, if you're out there multiple times a week, it takes a toll on your body. You have to be in good shape, starting with your legs and working your way up."

Lucky Break

Schaeffer made 23 appearances (18 starts) during portions of three seasons at Potomac State. He posted a career record of 14-3 with two saves and a 1.68 ERA, averaging 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings while fanning 169 batters in 112.2 innings.

He went 7-1 with a 1.82 ERA as a freshman and 7-1 as a junior, earning 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association Division I All-America honorable mention and All-Region XX (20) first-team honors. He posted a NJCAA-leading ERA of 0.94 as a junior, allowing just five earned runs in 47.2 innings, and averaged nearly 15 strikeouts per nine innings, third-most in the nation. He struck out 79 batters and walked just four.

As a sophomore, Schaeffer made just two starts before COVID-19 shut down the entire college baseball season. It was during that season that Schaeffer experienced his first injury setback ... well, sort of.

Schaeffer came home after those two starts with a sore shoulder. When he went to get it examined, an MRI showed he had a torn labrum. Surgery was scheduled.

In between the time of diagnosis and surgery, however, Schaeffer continued to work out. Noticing the exercises Schaeffer was doing, Frantz recommended he get a second opinion. That proved to be a wise decision.

The second MRI revealed no labrum tear and no structural damage whatsoever. Schaeffer was suffering from what pitchers call a "dead arm" phase.

"I thought I was hurt," Schaeffer said. "Thank God COVID hit, because it allowed me to take some time off. I was throwing again that summer and I felt great.

"It was a freak thing. It was a false diagnosis. It all worked out. I got pretty lucky there."

Carolina Connection

Schaeffer ended up at North Carolina thanks to his assistant coach at Potomac State and a friendship he had with the pitching coach at UNC.

He went on an official visit to Chapel Hill, toured the campus and was ready to commit to play for the Tar Heels. He just needed to show the UNC coaching staff his talents on the mound one time.

That one time came early in his freshman season in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. As Schaeffer described, he had "a terrible game."

"The team we played absolutely lit me up. I gave up seven runs in four innings," Schaeffer said. "I was so nervous. Their pitching coach was in full (UNC) gear behind home plate, so I could see him. It shouldn't have bothered me, but it was in my head."

After Schaeffer's solid junior campaign, his Potomac State assistant coach reached out to North Carolina again. This time, the deal was completed, and Schaeffer headed to UNC.

Mental hurdles

Schaeffer had a really good fall season at North Carolina and earned the start in the Tar Heels' season opener Feb. 18 against Seton Hall, pitching six strong innings to get his first win. He added a second win the following weekend, allowing just one run over five innings against East Carolina, then struck out seven over 6.1 frames in a no-decision against Coastal Carolina.

Once ACC play began, however, Schaeffer struggled. In a three-week stretch that Schaeffer said, "I was lost," the lefty was shelled by Pittsburgh, Duke, Miami and UNC-Wilmington. He was relegated to the bullpen and began to think maybe he wasn't cut out for Division I baseball.

He sought help.

"I'm glad that I struggled when I did at Carolina because I had the resources of a sports psychologist right there on campus for me to talk to," Schaeffer said. "Basically what she said to me was that you're playing a game. You know that you can play this game and have success, you've had success your whole life.

"I didn't know how deal with it and it got in my head. My confidence was gone. I thought to myself, 'Can I even pitch here? Do I belong at this level?' She helped me understand things and honestly trust my abilities and really lean on your support system. Trust yourself and just have fun playing the game.

"It's not fun giving up home runs or walking guys. But it is fun when you get those big strikeouts and being with your buddies on the field, being part of a team and being on the field playing a game you love."

Schaeffer finished the season strong, recording six appearances of at least five innings pitched with one or zero walks. He won three consecutive decisions from May 14-27, beating Wake Forest, Florida State and Virginia Tech, then tossed a complete-game, six-hit shutout against Virginia Tech in the ACC Tournament that earned him a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

Schaeffer was the starting pitcher in North Carolina's season finale, tossing 4.2 innings in an extra-inning loss to Arkansas in Game 2 of the Super Regional. He finished the season with 71 strikeouts and 24 walks in a team-high 96 innings.

Tough decision

The son of Jeff and Laura Schaeffer, Brandon is majoring in Sports Administration, with a minor in Business Administration, and has one more year of academic studies to complete. Projected to graduate in May 2023, Schaeffer was named to the All-ACC Academic Team and the ACC Academic Honor Roll.

If baseball doesn't end up being in his future, he would like to incorporate the business and economics background he has with the sports industry.

This weekend, he doesn't plan to do anything special, just answer his cellphone if it rings and see what happens.

"It's a really hard decision if you do end up signing what you leave behind as far as college baseball goes," Schaeffer said. "I have a great opportunity down there, the coaches are great, the school is great.

"We had a great run this year in college and if I did sign it would be tough to turn something like that down, to make another run and hopefully go to Omaha.

"It has to be right. I'm not sure what my decision will be, because both are enticing decisions."

Contact the writer: Lboyer@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6026; @pubsportsboss on Twitter