Story perspectives

Red Sox Grab UNC Shortstop Jake Schaffner 20th Overall

7/12/2026

Summary

Red Sox Draft

Boston Red Sox selected UNC shortstop Jake Schaffner with the 20th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.
Boston also drafted UNC outfielder Owen Hull at 67th overall and high-school shortstop Jace Mataczynski at 96th.
Schaffner posted .356/.467/.552 with six homers and 26 steals while Hull posted .393/.500/.615 with nine homers and 18 steals.
Scouting director Jake Bruml said Boston will develop their power, arm and defensive upside.

Summary

Schaffner Selected

Boston likely selected Cade Schaffner as an underslot pick to preserve bonus-pool money for later, higher-upside selections.
After transferring from North Dakota State to UNC, Schaffner rose 68 spots in Baseball America’s rankings, from #166 to #98.
He was a finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, given to the nation’s top college shortstop.
The Red Sox’s 2020 first-round choice of high-school bat Nick Yorke set a precedent for unconventional selections.

History

Historical Context

In 1989 the Boston Red Sox drafted player Jeff Bagwell in the fourth round (110th overall) and, after trading him for reliever Larry Andersen in 1990, saw him become a Hall-of-Famer with the Houston Astros. The trade’s fallout makes Boston cautious with college prospects, shaping its 2026 approach of drafting shortstop Jake Schaffner in an underslot to save bonus-pool space.

1 of 3

Red Sox Draft

Boston Red Sox selected UNC shortstop Jake Schaffner with the 20th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.
Boston also drafted UNC outfielder Owen Hull at 67th overall and high-school shortstop Jace Mataczynski at 96th.
Schaffner posted .356/.467/.552 with six homers and 26 steals while Hull posted .393/.500/.615 with nine homers and 18 steals.
Scouting director Jake Bruml said Boston will develop their power, arm and defensive upside.

1 / 3