​In a surprising development, a Diamond Heel found his name called in the first round of the MLB Draft. Former North Carolina shortstop Jake Schaffner was selected by the Boston Red Sox at No. 20 overall, marking a standout moment for the Tar Heels in this year’s draft. Ranked No. 75 on the Top 250 prospects list, Schaffner completed his lone season at UNC as one of the program’s most productive players, leading the team in batting average and on-base percentage while also contributing a notable number of stolen bases.
Schaffner’s first-round selection represents the highest by a UNC player since the Houston Astros picked J.B. Bukauskas at No. 15 in 2017. He becomes the 26th Tar Heel to be chosen in the first round and the first since the Baltimore Orioles drafted Vance Honeycutt at No. 22 in 2024. Throughout his time in Chapel Hill, Schaffner established himself as a near-inevitable presence on base, serving as the team’s leadoff hitter and swiping a program-high 26 bases. He finished the season batting .356 with 96 hits, six home runs, 50 RBIs, and 85 runs scored, a UNC-best total that underscored his impact at the top of the lineup.
Prior to transferring to North Carolina, Schaffner earned All-Summit League honors in both of his seasons at North Dakota State, and he was named the league’s defensive player of the year in 2025. His time in the Summit League helped him develop the versatility and consistency that translated to success at UNC, where he continued to demonstrate elite speed, discipline at the plate, and the ability to affect games in multiple ways.
As Schaffner begins his professional career, he carries a track record of being a reliable on-base threat and a dynamic defender, qualities that should serve him well as he progresses through the Red Sox organization. His story reflects the broader narrative of the Tar Heels’ recent draft success and the program’s ability to develop players who can compete at the highest levels of professional baseball.
For ongoing updates on North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes, and analysis, follow Tar Heels Wire on X and engage with the page on Facebook. This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire as part of coverage surrounding Jake Schaffner’s selection by the Boston Red Sox in the first round of the MLB Draft, with the aim of enhancing search visibility and reader access.