​UNC baseball pitcher Jason DeCaro was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the 80th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday, July 11. DeCaro became the third Tar Heel chosen in the draft, following shortstop Jake Schaffner and outfielder Owen Hull, who were selected by the Boston Red Sox. A junior pitcher, DeCaro established himself as the top starter for much of his three seasons in Chapel Hill. His draft projection at No. 80 carried a slot value of $1.03 million.
Here’s a breakdown of Jason DeCaro’s performance with the Tar Heels and what the Pirates organization can expect from him. DeCaro closed out his collegiate career as the ace of UNC’s pitching staff, often referred to as the “arm barn.” He finished with an 11-3 record and a 2.87 ERA as UNC’s Friday starter, striking out 99 batters over 97 1/3 innings. His standout performance in the Chapel Hill Super Regional helped keep the Tar Heels alive, delivering a shutout against USC. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 230 pounds, the right-hander posted a notable 3.46 ERA and a 26-7 career record with UNC.
A big-game pitcher for the Tar Heels, DeCaro began his college career as a 17-year-old thrust into a starting role as a freshman. He logged more than 200 innings across his UNC tenure and consistently challenged hitters by throwing strikes. While there is still room for growth in velocity and overall development, DeCaro is projected to become a starter at the next level.
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. For ACC coverage, follow him on X/Twitter or Bluesky at @RoddBaxley. If you have questions about UNC, you can reach him at rbaxley@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer under the title: What UNC baseball’s Jason DeCaro brings to Pittsburgh Pirates for better SEO.