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The MLB Draft officially kicked off Saturday, with 135 players hearing their names called. Four Tar Heels: Jake Schaffner, Owen Hull, Jason DeCaro and Ryan Lynch, all found new homes on Day One.
The Boston Red Sox took Schaffner 20th overall, a spot well-deserved but also surprising, considering his pre-MLB Draft projections. Schaffner's pick made a rare bit of recent history, one that emphasizes UNC as a top collegiate baseball program.
With Schaffner's selection, North Carolina is the only ACC baseball program, plus one of just four nationally, to have a first round pick in three consecutive seasons.
In 2025, the Seattle Mariners selected Luke Stevenson 35th overall. The year before, Vance Honeycutt became the Baltimore Orioles' 22nd overall pick.
Schaffner reached base virtually every time he stepped to the plate for UNC in 2026, recording a .356 batting average with 96 hits, while drawing 45 walks and getting hit by a pitch 17 times. Schaffner was also the Tar Heels' top speed threat, stealing 26 bases and scoring 85 runs.
Hull also shipped up to Boston, going 67th overall in the Competitive Balance Round B. The Pittsburgh Pirates chose DeCaro 80th overall, while the San Diego Padres took Lynch 97th overall, making North Carolina's top two starters both third round selections.
Before the Draft started, UNC hoped for a Lynch return in 2027. A Top-3 round Draft spot, though, is pretty tough to pass up. DeCaro also had another year of eligibility, but he likely accepts his selection, too.
How long will it take for Schaffner to find himself playing in Fenway Park? Recent first-rounders progressed fairly quickly to The Show, such as former Golden Spikes winner and national champion Dylan Crews, so Schaffner could be on the big stage before you know it.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Jake Schaffner's MLB Draft selection helps UNC baseball make history
Continue reading...
The Boston Red Sox took Schaffner 20th overall, a spot well-deserved but also surprising, considering his pre-MLB Draft projections. Schaffner's pick made a rare bit of recent history, one that emphasizes UNC as a top collegiate baseball program.
With Schaffner's selection, North Carolina is the only ACC baseball program, plus one of just four nationally, to have a first round pick in three consecutive seasons.
In 2025, the Seattle Mariners selected Luke Stevenson 35th overall. The year before, Vance Honeycutt became the Baltimore Orioles' 22nd overall pick.
Schaffner reached base virtually every time he stepped to the plate for UNC in 2026, recording a .356 batting average with 96 hits, while drawing 45 walks and getting hit by a pitch 17 times. Schaffner was also the Tar Heels' top speed threat, stealing 26 bases and scoring 85 runs.
Hull also shipped up to Boston, going 67th overall in the Competitive Balance Round B. The Pittsburgh Pirates chose DeCaro 80th overall, while the San Diego Padres took Lynch 97th overall, making North Carolina's top two starters both third round selections.
Before the Draft started, UNC hoped for a Lynch return in 2027. A Top-3 round Draft spot, though, is pretty tough to pass up. DeCaro also had another year of eligibility, but he likely accepts his selection, too.
How long will it take for Schaffner to find himself playing in Fenway Park? Recent first-rounders progressed fairly quickly to The Show, such as former Golden Spikes winner and national champion Dylan Crews, so Schaffner could be on the big stage before you know it.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Jake Schaffner's MLB Draft selection helps UNC baseball make history
Continue reading...
