Jake Schaffner's incredible season at UNC culminates in first-round MLB Draft selection

Leading up to the 2026 MLB Draft, Jake Schaffner was projected as a top-75 prospect.

With that in mind, it was expected that the Diamond Heels shortstop could be drafted anywhere from the second to fourth round if you're basing it off projections alone.

However, the Boston Red Sox pulled a stunner, using their first-round pick to select Schaffner.

Jake Schaffner selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 2026 MLB Draft

Schaffner was selected with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. It goes to show you that the rankings leading up to the draft can definitely vary, and that it's not how you start, but how you finish!

When North Carolina acquired Schaffner via the transfer portal, they knew that he was a very good baseball player. However, Schaffner exceeded expectations by a ton, as he was one of the best shortstops in the entire country during the 2026 season.

Let's remember: Schaffner wasn't a top-150 prospect in D1 Baseball's preseaso draft-eligibile college prospect list.

A finalist for the 2026 Brooks Wallace Award, Schaffner proved to be an elite transfer portal addition for Scott Forbes and the Diamond Heels. The left-handed hitting shortstop has been the catalyst at the top of the order for the Tar Heels, finishing the season with a .356 batting average. He recorded 96 hits (33 extra-base hits), 50 RBIs, 45 walks and 26 stolen bases while providing elite-level defense at his position.

Oh, and this is production from a guy who barely received Division I baseball interest during his high school recruitment!

The transfer portal can be very much hit-or-miss. Some transfer additions work out, while others don’t pan out the way anyone hoped. In the case of Schaffner, the match in Chapel Hill couldn’t have gone better, as Schaffner not only filled the team’s void at shortstop but also played the position at an elite level, putting him among the nation’s best.

Now, Schaffner might not have as much pop as this guy we’re comparing him to, but you could see some Troy Tulowitzki in his game. The Red Sox would love it if he turned out to be a lefty-hitting version of Tulo, given what he accomplished when healthy at the big-league level.

It’s important to note that, although Schaffner was drafted, he could still potentially return to UNC. Players selected in this weekend’s draft have until 5 p.m. ET on July 27 to sign with the club that drafts them. Each pick in the first 10 rounds is assigned a slot value, though teams are free to negotiate signing bonuses above or below that amount. However, given where he was selected, it would be a stunning turn of events if he doesn’t turn pro at this point.

Jake Schaffner's story is simply incredible. From being an undervalued high school prospect who didn't receive much interest in playing baseball at the Division I level to becoming a first-round draft pick, Schaffner's hard work and determination have paid off. His lone season at North Carolina was one to remember, as his role in the Diamond Heels' path to the College World Series finals undoubtedly played a role in him being selected as high as he was in this year's draft class.

Now, Schaffner is heading to Boston, where he hopes to become the shortstop of the future for the Red Sox.

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