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I’ve known Bryce what seems like forever ago. He came to me as this young and excited player, eager to learn and become a better pitcher. We hit if off right away, became very close with the entire family, and our lesson meetings were very consistent. This was back when I had just moved into Frederick from Baltimore, and was slowly meeting new players out this way. Bryce was constantly asking me about my playing career, and how I was able to make it so far. He saw my size and build and wanted to soak up as much knowledge as possible to give him that edge to be an elite competitor. He knew I was a sidearmer, and eventually he came to me one day and said, “I want to pitch EXACTLY like you”… I was unsure how to respond in the moment, because as a pitching coach you don’t just teach people to pitch identically to yourself, the goals are to help each player find their authentic movements and patterns that work for them. Bryce wasn’t having it, he wanted to learn to pitch JUST LIKE ME, there was no talking him out of it. It was truly humbling, and after some time we dove into it full steam ahead, before long his delivery looked unmistakable from my own, from the leg kick, to the arm slot, deception, cross-fire, pick-off move, mound presence, pitch shapes / breaks, he became a true protege and it was fun to watch unfold over the days, weeks, months, and years. I cannot even begin to describe the type of drive, persistence, work ethic, grit, and overall joy Bryce possessed in his training and developmental years. Everyday was fun for him to practice, and he reaped the rewards over and over again. He carried a lot of weight throughout his college experience, and was able to overcome big challenges early on, and he is now thriving in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He is part of an amazingly supportive family, and I’m forever thankful to have been given the opportunity to train Bryce for so long, and be a part of his life and baseball journey, and we will always stay connected. It goes without saying that I’m extremely proud of all of what he has accomplished, and it is a true testament to his own work ethic and drive, which will carry him far in life beyond the game. We’ve both learned a lot about each other over the years, and I’m super thankful he was willing to share his experience as part of this series, and kick it off as the first one! — Dustin Pease

    •    Full Name: Bryson Shaffer

    •    Age: 24

    •    Current Professional Team/Organization: Tampa Bay Rays

    •    Position(s): LHP

    •    College: Coastal Carolina University

    •    High School & Hometown: Brunswick HS, SJCP, Island Coast High Cape Coral

Island coast high school Cap Coral

When did you realize you wanted to pursue baseball professionally?

I would say when I started taking lessons with Dustin when I was 14

 What was your journey like from high school to where you are now (college, draft, minors, etc.)?

So this is where the story gets crazy…

I started at Brunswick High School in 2016. I played three years there, then transferred to St. John’s Catholic Prep my junior year in 2018 to reclassify and get bigger and stronger for baseball. Because of that, I technically had another junior year — but I had to sit out, because you only get four eligible playing years.

After that, my family and I decided to move to Florida so I could keep chasing baseball. I finished high school and baseball down there in 2020. Sadly, that was the COVID year, so we didn’t have a full season. I put up good numbers, but nobody wanted me. I had one shot to go play at a JUCO, and I had to try to earn a scholarship. Money was tight, so I didn’t have much room for options.

So I went to Polk State. And honestly, it was the worst experience of my life. It was hell. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong. That was the moment where everything changed. I went to my dad and told him, “Baseball isn’t for me.” Saying that to the one person who always believed in me hurt the most. All he ever wanted to do was help.

He told me, “Just give it one more try. One more year of work.”

So I did.

I called a college I had played against — South Florida State College. They said they had a spot, but no scholarship money left. My dad said, “Just go.” So I went. And I told him I would prove to him that I wasn’t good enough.

So I worked. I worked out twice a day. I ran miles before and after practice. I was basically David Goggins. The part people misunderstand about JUCO is they think it’s all discipline on your own. But really, the only extra thing I chose to do was that second workout every morning and night. Everything else was required. That JUCO saved me — but at the time, I was convinced I was proving to my dad that I didn’t have it.

I became the first in every mile run. The first to show up to lift and the last to leave. I ate more than anyone to gain weight. I became a machine. I got stronger, bigger, faster. I went from 86 mph to 94 mph in one fall.

My coach pulled me into his office and said, “Bryce, we have a full scholarship for you — and you’re starting our opening day game.”

I called my dad instantly. He just said, “I told you.”

I kept going and put up great numbers. Then I got my first call from Coastal Carolina — 85% scholarship. I’ll never forget sitting there with my dad and the coach on speaker. My dad started crying. I said yes immediately. I came from a place where barely anyone believed in me except my dad, Dustin, and the few coaches who gave me a chance just to throw.

The next week, my coach pulled me back into his office and turned his computer screen toward me. Every Division I school in Florida was interested. He never told me. And I don’t regret my decision — because it showed me something:

You have to work. You have to work like you have something to prove.

My work ethic never changed after that. I’ll always feel like I have someone to prove wrong, and something more I can become.

After two years at Coastal Carolina — and turning down the Pirates in 2024 — I chose the Tampa Bay Rays the following year.

And I’ve loved it ever since.

 What have been some of your biggest accomplishments or proudest moments in your career so far?

I’d say one of the biggest turning points for me was not making varsity in high school — at least not at first. I only got brought up when they needed someone, and they basically just threw me in. Once they saw I could pitch, I became the starter. I went from someone nobody relied on… to someone the coaches couldn’t not play.

My best achievements have always come from working in silence and letting the work speak for me. The accomplishments and awards come and go — but I’m nowhere near where I want to be yet.

 What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?

I’d say one of the hardest parts was making the right decisions. A lot of the time my buddies wanted to go out, party, or do things I knew would pull me away from what I wanted. Choosing to be a baseball player — and actually living like one — was the challenge. And honestly, it’s still hard sometimes.

Another big thing was always getting teased for not being good enough. I just kept my head down and worked. And eventually, I outperformed everyone.

What’s been your favorite memory or highlight from playing professional baseball?

Like I said before, I was always the last pick — the last guy for everything. So again, I got stuck in the Complex League, which is basically just extended spring training. When they posted the roster, I took a picture of the list. I was the only healthy arm from my draft class that got held back. I made that picture my phone wallpaper so I had to look at it every day.

And I just kept working.

Eventually, I got my shot to go to Low-A — and I became one of their best arms, finishing the season with almost 50 innings out of the pen.

What does a “day in the life” look like for you at the professional level?

The routine changes depending on the level and workload. For example, when I was in Low-A last year, a typical day looked like this:

I’d wake up around 10, grab something to eat, and hang out with my roommate for a bit. Then I’d head to the field around 1 to get a light lift in. After that, I’d eat lunch or some snacks at the field, then head out to stretch and play catch.

Once that was done, I’d go to the training room — get cupping or scraped — then hit the hot tub and cold tub while waiting for the game. Usually I’d watch some golf videos to kill time. By then, it was time to get ready and head out for the game.

In pro ball, they don’t practice during the season — so you have to do your work on your own.

What goals are you working toward now in your career?

I want to be the best. I want to keep climbing the affiliates and being in the Big Leagues soon. I’m not stopping or never going to stop trying.

How did training at Pease Baseball help you prepare for the challenges of pro ball?

Without him none of my dreams would have came true I know this 100%

Are there specific lessons, experiences, or values from Pease that you’ve carried with you into your professional career?

He doesn’t just teach mechanics. Baseball is 80% mental it’s how he explains why we’re doing it and what’s the importance to it. At a young age he was smart to explain location is the most important thing IT IS. I believed that and continued to throw 60 mph in high school as their best starter because I did this.

What advice would you give to younger players training at Pease Baseball who dream of playing at the next level?

If you really want to be a professional, go to PBP. Talk to Dustin. Listen to my story — I didn’t have much, but I worked, I believed in myself, and I stayed with it until it became real.

If you take anything away from PBP, it’s this: everyone there has the same dream. And at the end of the day, you need to surround yourself with dogs — people who are chasing it just like you.

FEATURE:

Bryce Shaffer is a left-handed pitcher whose career has been defined by steady growth and resilience. Beginning at Polk State College out of high school, Shaffer experienced early adversity before transferring to South Florida State College, where he made a significant developmental jump. There, he added strength, improved his delivery, and made a notable velocity climb that positioned him as a legitimate next-level arm. That progression led him to Coastal Carolina University, where he stepped into a nationally respected Division I program and proved he could compete against high-level talent. At Coastal, Shaffer established himself as a reliable bullpen option, known for competing in the zone, handling pressure situations, and maintaining a consistent presence on the mound.

Following his time at Coastal, Shaffer signed professionally and began his career in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He opened in the Complex League, then earned his way onto the Charleston RiverDogs (Single-A) roster. During his season in Charleston, Shaffer appeared in relief and delivered a strong year, posting a 3.29 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 41.0 innings, while maintaining a 1.41 WHIP. His ability to control innings, generate swing-and-miss when needed, and handle the workload across a full professional schedule helped establish him as a trusted bullpen arm in the system and should continue to make his way up the ranks!

Shaffer’s path is one marked by development rather than shortcuts — moving from under-recruited and overlooked roles to becoming a contributor at the Division I and professional levels. His continued trajectory reflects a pitcher who understands how to adapt, compete, and grow inside the game.