Full Breakdown
Boston Red Sox Select UNC Shortstop Jake Schaffner with 20th Overall Pick in 2026 MLB Draft
7/12/2026, 9:15:15 PM
The First-Round Selection
On June 22, 2026 the Boston Red Sox used the 20th overall pick of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft to select Jake Schaffner, a left-handed shortstop from the University of North Carolina (UNC). The pick was widely viewed as a surprise because most draft analysts had Schaffner projected as a second- or third-round selection.
Background and Path to Omaha
Schaffner transferred to UNC after two seasons at North Dakota State, where he earned First-Team All-Summit League honors and the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year award. In his sole junior year with the Tar Heels he led the team with 85 runs, 26 stolen bases and eight triples, posted a .356/.467/.522 slash line, and helped UNC reach the College World Series championship series, ultimately falling to Oklahoma. He was a Brooks Wallace Award finalist and earned First-Team All-ACC honors.
Performance Metrics
- Batting average: .356 (second on the team)
- OPS: 1.019 (second on the team)
- Hits: 96 (team-high)
- Runs: 85 (team-high)
- Stolen bases: 26 (team-high)
- Home runs: 6; doubles: 19; RBIs: 50
- Contact rates: 88 % overall, 96 % in-zone (elite)
- Walk rate: 13 %; strikeout rate: 9 %
- Defensive record: three errors all season, none in ACC or NCAA tournament play
Official Statements & Organizational View
Red Sox director of amateur scouting Jake Bruml explained that the selection reflected the club’s belief in Schaffner’s “offensive skill set” and defensive reliability at shortstop. Bruml added that the Red Sox “were confident he’ll be able to thrive in our system while playing strong defense at shortstop.” He also noted that the draft board “just lined up” to allow the team to pick three position players on Day 1, emphasizing a “best player available” approach rather than a pre-planned focus on hitters.
UNC head coach Scott Forbes praised Schaffner’s work ethic, stating, “That kid brings it every day,” and highlighted his “grittiness” and readiness for big moments.
Criticism and Analyst Concerns
Baseball analysts described the pick as a “head-scratcher.” ESPN ranked Schaffner No. 51, MLB Pipeline No. 75, and Baseball America No. 98, labeling him a Day 2 prospect. Critics pointed to his limited power—six home runs in 68 games—and questions about whether his arm strength would allow him to remain at shortstop at the professional level. Some observers suggested the Red Sox may have targeted Schaffner to save bonus-pool money for later, higher-upside selections.
Conflicting Rankings & Perception Gaps
Public prospect lists varied widely: MLB.com listed him 75th, ESPN 51st, Baseball America 98th, and The Athletic’s Keith Law 79th. The disparity underscores uncertainty about his ceiling versus floor, with the Red Sox apparently valuing his elite contact ability and speed over conventional power metrics.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’re confident he’ll be able to thrive in our system while playing strong defense at shortstop,” — Jake Bruml, director of amateur scouting, Boston Red Sox
- “It’s a dream come true. I've always wanted to be a professional baseball player since I was a little kid, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity,” — Jake Schaffner
- “We had other players on the board. Some of them were pitchers, some of them were other hitters,” — Jake Bruml
- “I think even more unique is that they were roommates, too. Both of them were transfers this year to UNC,” — Jake Bruml
- “That kid brings it every day,” — Scott Forbes, UNC head coach
What’s Next
The Red Sox have announced a $4.37 million signing bonus for Schaffner. The organization plans to develop his arm strength and power at the minor-league level while leveraging his elite contact skills and 60-grade speed. The success of the pick will be measured against the Red Sox’s upcoming Day 2 selections and the broader draft strategy aimed at balancing immediate needs with long-term upside.
