Here are the Red Sox's Day 1 Draft picks. Here’s how to follow Day 2
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Day 1 of the 2026 Draft included the Red Sox's picks from Rounds 1-4, including Jake Schaffner at No. 20 overall. Day 2 begins Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET through the conclusion of the Draft, spanning Rounds 5-20. Stream it live on MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+ and the MLB App.
NEW YORK – The Red Sox couldn’t get enough out of University of North Carolina players on Saturday’s first day of the Draft.
They also took the opposite approach of last year, when they loaded up on pitchers on Day 1.
This time, the Sox went 3-for-3 on taking position players, starting with UNC shortstop Jake Schaffner in the first round. The Sox went back to the Tar Heel well with their next pick (67th overall) by taking outfielder Owen Hull.
And they capped an interesting first day by snagging high school shortstop Jace Mataczynski in the third round. The position-player-heavy day wasn’t necessarily by design, according to director of amateur scouting Jake Bruml.
“We had other players on the board. Some of them were pitchers, some of them were other hitters,” said Bruml. “It was just how everything lined up that led us down this path. And I know maybe that looks weird, having made additional hitter selections on Day One, but it wasn't anything specific that said we are going to target hitters. It was still about drafting the best player available at each given spot.”
What about the double dipping with UNC?
“I think even more unique is that they were roommates, too. Both of them were transfers this year to UNC,” said Bruml. “We got to meet with both of those guys at the combine. I've spoken to both of them. They told me they're best friends, so hopefully they can bring some of the magic that they had in that [College] World Series run to Boston in the coming years.”
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Here is a closer look at the picks the Red Sox made after opening the day with their somewhat surprising selection of Schaffner.
Owen Hull, OF
- Competitive Balance B, Pick 67
- Bats/throws: L/R
- School: University of North Carolina
- Calling Card: His ability to control the strike zone and make hard contact are the two things scouts like the most about Hull. Power might come in time for a player who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 215 pounds. He also has the quickness to stay in center field in pro ball.
- Quote: “I have no words to describe it. I’m out here having as much fun as I can. There’s no other group of boys, coaches I’d rather play for and I love this team so much.” – Hull, on the day UNC advanced to the College World Series.
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Jace Mataczynski, SS
- Round 3, Pick 96
- Bats/throws: R/R
- School: Hudson High School (Wis.)
- Calling Card: Bat speed, quality of contact and athleticism that leads to defensive wizardry are things that set Mataczynski apart in high school. He is also known as a plus defender in the middle of the diamond.
- Quote: “He’s a fantastic defender. I know I haven't been doing this too long, but he is one of the best high school shortstop defenders that I personally have seen, and I know that our group was comparing him defensively to guys like Billy Carlson, who went obviously in the first round last year, Marcelo [Mayer] from back in the day, who was an incredible defender as an amateur as well. His caliber of defense is up near those guys, and part of it is instinct, and part of it is he's a fantastic athlete.” – Bruml
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