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UNC baseball’s Jake Schaffner was selected by the Boston Red Sox with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday, July 11.
Schaffner is the highest draft pick for the Tar Heels since pitcher J.B. Bukauskas went No. 15 overall to the Houston Astros in 2017.
A junior shortstop and North Dakota State transfer, Shaffner’s projected slot value at No. 20 is $4.37 million, meaning his one-and-done season in Chapel Hill led to a big payday. He started all but one game for UNC, thriving in the leadoff spot and as a consistent defender at short.
DREAM COME TRUE: College World Series giving UNC baseball's Cooper Nicholson, Jake Schaffner more Midwest memories
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Here’s a breakdown of Jake Schaffner’s stats with the Tar Heels and what the Red Sox organization can expect from him.
After playing his first two seasons at North Dakota State, where he was the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year, Schaffner leveled up against high-major competition at UNC. The left-handed hitter was second on the team in batting average (.356), OPS (1.019) and hits (96), but led the Tar Heels with 85 runs, 26 stolen bases and eight triples.
Schaffner is a reliable contact hitter who can spray the ball around the park from gap to gap, using his speed and baserunning to create extra-base hits that otherwise could be singles. He isn’t known for his power at the plate, but Schaffer creates stability at the top of the lineup as a player who can hit and draw walks. He’s also a plus defender in the middle infield, whether he continues to play shortstop or moves over to second base at the next level.
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: What UNC baseball’s Jake Schaffner brings to Boston Red Sox
Continue reading...
Schaffner is the highest draft pick for the Tar Heels since pitcher J.B. Bukauskas went No. 15 overall to the Houston Astros in 2017.
A junior shortstop and North Dakota State transfer, Shaffner’s projected slot value at No. 20 is $4.37 million, meaning his one-and-done season in Chapel Hill led to a big payday. He started all but one game for UNC, thriving in the leadoff spot and as a consistent defender at short.
DREAM COME TRUE: College World Series giving UNC baseball's Cooper Nicholson, Jake Schaffner more Midwest memories
NEXT FOR UNC?: UNC basketball transfer portal tracker, who's in, who's out on 2026-27 roster
Here’s a breakdown of Jake Schaffner’s stats with the Tar Heels and what the Red Sox organization can expect from him.
Jake Schaffner stats at UNC
After playing his first two seasons at North Dakota State, where he was the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year, Schaffner leveled up against high-major competition at UNC. The left-handed hitter was second on the team in batting average (.356), OPS (1.019) and hits (96), but led the Tar Heels with 85 runs, 26 stolen bases and eight triples.
What Boston Red Sox can expect from Jake Schaffner
Schaffner is a reliable contact hitter who can spray the ball around the park from gap to gap, using his speed and baserunning to create extra-base hits that otherwise could be singles. He isn’t known for his power at the plate, but Schaffer creates stability at the top of the lineup as a player who can hit and draw walks. He’s also a plus defender in the middle infield, whether he continues to play shortstop or moves over to second base at the next level.
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: What UNC baseball’s Jake Schaffner brings to Boston Red Sox
Continue reading...
