Red Sox Select Shortstop Jake Schaffner with First Pick (20th Overall) in 2026 Draft

BOSTON, MA — The Boston Red Sox selected shortstop Jake Schaffner out of the University of North Carolina with their first-round pick (20th overall) in the 2026 MLB First-Year Player Draft. The club also selected outfielder Owen Hull out of the University of North Carolina in Competitive Balance Round B (67th overall), and shortstop Jace Mataczynski out of Hudson High School (Wis.) with their third-round pick (96th overall).

Schaffner, 21, played in 68 games for the Tar Heels in 2026, batting .356 (96-for-270) with a .467 on-base percentage, 85 runs scored, 19 doubles, eight triples, six home runs, 50 RBI, and 26 stolen bases. The left-handed hitter previously spent two seasons at North Dakota State University, where he was a two-time All-Summit League First-Team honoree (2024-25). He was also named the 2025 Summit League Defensive Player of the Year. The Wisconsin native played in the Cape Cod Baseball League during 2025, appearing in 29 games for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks. Schaffner received the 2025 Manny Robello Tenth Player Award, presented by the Cape Cod Baseball League to a player who has gone above and beyond as a teammate and community member.