Aidan Haugh's patience pays off as he improved his MLB Draft stock

Last year, Aidan Haugh had a decision to make.

After being selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 16th round of the 2024 MLB Draft, Haugh had to decide whether it was time to pursue a professional career or return to Chapel Hill for another season with the UNC baseball program.

Haugh chose the later, a move that paid off for him in the long run.

The right-hander was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. He was the No. 177 overall pick, becoming the third UNC baseball player to hear his name called as part of this draft class.

After beginning his college career at Fayetteville Tech, Haugh came to North Carolina and was a key contributor on the mound. He appeared in 39 games (22 starts), as his versatility to pitch in any role made him a valuable weapon for Scott Forbes to call upon.

This past season, the 6-foot-6, 229-pounder posted a 5-4 record, mostly in a starter's role. His 3.72 ERA was the ninth-best among ACC qualifiers, as opposing hitters posted a .240 batting average against him.

While control could be an issue for Haugh, there's no denying that his repertoire of pitches is more than capable of getting outs at the professional level. Going to an organization like Tampa, one that has developed a handful of quality arms in the past, the fit seems very strong for Haugh as he takes this next step in his baseball career.

This could be an absolute steal of a pick for the Tampa Bay Rays, as Haugh's potential is through the roof, especially if they can continue developing him while refining his already impressive pitch mix.