Jake Schaffner, one of the best shortstops that college baseball has to offer!
You couldn't argue with the above statement before, and you certainly can't now, as Schaffner has been named a finalist for the most prestigious award that is annually presented to a player of his position.
Jake Schaffner named a finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award
The College Baseball Foundation announced the finalists for the annual Brooks Wallace Award. Named after former Texas Tech player Brooks Wallace, the award honors the nation's top shortstop. Finalists were identified based on their combined offensive and defensive performances from this season.
Nothing short of 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙚 👏@JakeSchaffner3 is a finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, given annually to the nation's top shortstop. pic.twitter.com/v8ECmN2oHl
— Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) June 2, 2026
The five finalists for the 2026 Brooks Wallace Award are:
- Dylan Carey (Nebraska)
- Roch Cholowsky (UCLA)
- Carson Kerce (Georgia Tech)
- Chris Ramirez (California Baptist)
- Jake Schaffner (North Carolina)
Schaffner has proven to be an elite transfer portal addition for Scott Forbes and the Diamond Heels. The left-handing hitting shortstop has been the catalyst at the top of the order for the Tar Heels, leading the team in hits (85), extra base hits (32), runs scored (77), and stolen bases (25).
UNC draws USC with afternoon time slots for the CWS Chapel Hill Super Regional
Defensively, Schaffner has served as the anchor of the infield, committing just three errors over 59 games played. He has formed one of the best double play duos in the country with second baseman Gavin Gallaher, a pairing that has worked out just the way Forbes and the Tar Heels planned when they brought Schaffner to Chapel Hill and shifted Gallaher to second base.
The transfer portal can certainly be hit or miss, as it's never a guarantee that additions will work out the way you hope. In the case of Schaffner, the Diamond Heels literally hit a home run, as they couldn't have asked for more from him in his first (and possibly lone) season in Chapel Hill.
Schaffner has embraced being a Tar Heel, playing outstanding baseball overall. It's no surprise that MLB scouts are keeping close tabs on him with this year's draft approaching in just a few short weeks.
However, before we get to that point, Schaffner hopes to lead this UNC team not only to Omaha, but a deep run to the title game once they get there.
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