​Jake Schaffner, the UNC baseball standout, was selected by the Boston Red Sox with the 20th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday, July 11. He stands as the highest draft choice for the Tar Heels since J.B. Bukauskas went 15th overall to the Houston Astros in 2017. A junior shortstop who transferred from North Dakota State, Schaffner’s projected slot value at No. 20 is $4.37 million. That figure underscores how his one-and-done stint in Chapel Hill culminated in a significant payday for the Cincinnati native as he moves toward a professional career. Schaffner started all but one game for UNC, thriving at the top of the lineup and delivering steady defense at shortstop.
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Here’s a look at Jake Schaffner’s production with the Tar Heels and what the Red Sox organization might expect from him. After two seasons at North Dakota State, where he earned the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year honors, Schaffner elevated his game against high-major competition at UNC. The left-handed hitter ranked second on the team in batting average (.356), on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS of 1.019), and hits (96), while leading UNC with 85 runs scored, 26 stolen bases, and eight triples. Schaffner is a dependable contact hitter who can spray the ball to all parts of the field, using his speed and baserunning to turn singles into extra-base hits and to create scoring opportunities. He isn’t known for home run power, but he provides stability at the top of the lineup by getting on base and drawing walks.
Defensively, Schaffner is a plus defender in the middle infield, capable of continuing to play shortstop or moving over to second base at the next level. His versatility and defensive acumen add value to what the Red Sox will be getting, especially given his proven ability to handle high-leverage situations and his consistency in the field.
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. You can follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky at @RoddBaxley. If you have questions about UNC, you can email rbaxley@usatodayco.com. This article originally appeared in The Fayetteville Observer under the title: What UNC baseball’s Jake Schaffner brings to Boston Red Sox for better SEO.