Red Sox draft SS Jake Schaffner with No. 20 pick

Boston Red Sox

MLB.com tabbed Schaffner the 75th-ranked prospect in the 2026 draft.

By Kaley Brown

July 11, 2026 | 4:21 PM

2 minutes to read

The latest Boston Red Sox draft pick is in.

Boston selected shortstop Jake Schaffner from the University of North Carolina with the No. 20 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday.

It was a pretty surprising choice, given how MLB.com ranked him their 75th prospect in this year’s pool.

Schaffner, 21, stands at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds and bats left-handed. 

A native of Janesville, Wisconsin, he transferred to UNC from North Dakota State for his junior year this past season. He led off for the Tar Heels, finding himself an important part of his team’s thrilling College World Series run (Oklahoma defeated UNC in three games).

In 68 games, Schaffner slashed .356/.467/.552 with six home runs and 50 RBI. His 85 runs scored led the team.

“Schaffner has good feel for the barrel and focuses on lashing line drives from gap to gap,” MLB.com wrote of Schaffner in his pre-draft scouting report. “He has a disciplined approach and rarely swings and misses, especially against fastballs. 

“While he won’t be a slugger, he’s hitting the ball harder than ever this spring and could produce 10-12 homers annually with a healthy amount of doubles.”

That whopping .467 on-base percentage was due in part to being hit by 17 pitches and his 45 walks. In contrast, he struck out 13 fewer times than he walked in 270 at-bats.

Schaffner also stole 26 bags and recorded eight triples, a testament to his speed. MLB.com tabbed his run at a 60-grade mark on their 20-80 scale.

Defensively, he was excellent at shortstop in 2026. He committed just three errors (good for a .987 fielding percentage) in 68 starts.

“He’s a rangy and extremely reliable defender at shortstop, though his arm likely will dictate a move to second base in pro ball,” MLB.com noted of Schaffner. “He has below-average to fringy pure arm strength that plays as average because he has a knack for running through balls and using his momentum to create carry on his throws.”

Before draft day, Schaffner expressed his excitement about being able to bring his abilities to a MLB franchise.

“I think that the biggest thing I’m going to bring is my competitive spirit,” he told WMTV, his local news station in Madison, Wisconsin. “You know, I’m out there. I’m looking to win in every single thing I do. And I’m going to work my butt off.

“I’m going to bring energy every single day. And I’m going to try and elevate the people around me.”