​Jake Schaffner, a dynamic infielder from the University of North Carolina, drew a mix of surprise and skepticism as he entered the draft boards. Baseball America ranked him as the 98th-best prospect, while MLB Pipeline slotted him at No. 75. Keith Law of The Athletic placed him at No. 79, leaving many analysts questioning how such a talented player could be so widely variably viewed. Yet the biggest ignition of conversation came from Craig Breslow, who clearly believed Schaffner possessed far more upside than those early projections suggested, selecting him with the Red Sox’s first pick in this year’s MLB draft at No. 20 overall.
Schaffner bats left-handed and is renowned for his excellent bat-to-ball skills, an ability that helps him stay on pitches and handle a wide variety of offerings without expanding his strike zone. While his contact ability and feel for hitting have been consistently praised, questions about his power potential linger. He is widely regarded as a solid defensive infielder with the versatility to handle multiple infield spots, though there is some debate about whether his arm strength might limit him to second base in the long run or push him toward a more hybrid infield role. The consensus is that his glove work is above average, and his footwork and range give him a chance to contribute at the highest levels if his bat can carry the profile.
The draft landscape is never a fixed science, and Schaffner’s selection by Breslow signals more than just a single team’s evaluation; it signals a broader conversation about potential and upside versus present metrics. In baseball’s modern drafting era, a top-20 pick can hinge on a team’s belief in a player’s ability to develop additional tools, even when a player’s current numbers don’t scream elite potential. Schaffner’s left-handed hitting, ability to handle the bat, and defensive flexibility position him as a compelling bet for the Red Sox, who are often willing to take calculated risks for upside at premium spots.
Of course, the big question remains: will Schaffner overachieve relative to pre-draft projections? It’s entirely possible. The MLB Draft is famous for producing surprise outcomes and underslot moves, where a team might intentionally select a player with a lower profile to preserve bonus pool funds for later rounds, particularly when targeting high-upside high school prospects who can be signed at lower prices. If Schaffner develops his power stroke to complement his contact skills and continues to refine his defensive versatility, he could become a productive contributor at the major league level. Conversely, if his power never materializes and his arm limits him to a corner or limited range, his ceiling could remain capped.
This pick has already sparked debate about the Red Sox’s strategy and priorities for the draft, and it may end up being one of the most discussed selections of the draft class. The underlying takeaway is that Schaffner represents a blend of projectable contact skills, defensive versatility, and a developmental path that could still unfold in multiple directions. Whether Breslow’s aggressive assessment proves correct or the pre-draft ratings prove more accurate will only become clear over the coming seasons as Schaffner advances through the minors and proves his mettle in the organization’s development system. The draft’s unpredictable nature means that Schaffner’s journey has only just begun, and his eventual impact will depend on how well he translates his contact tendencies and fielding acumen into consistent, game-ready tools at the professional level.