Red Sox Select Jake Schaffner 20th Overall in 2026 Draft

First‑Round Pick Overview

The Red Sox used their first‑round selection (20th overall) to take Jake Schaffner, a 21‑year‑old shortstop from the University of North Carolina. Director of amateur scouting Jake Bruml praised his offensive skillset, saying the club is confident he can thrive while delivering strong defense at short. MLB Pipeline had ranked him 75th overall, meaning Boston bypassed 55 spots to secure him. The 6‑foot‑2, 200‑pound left‑handed hitter is billed as a contact‑oriented bat with room for power growth.

College stats and transfer story

Schaffner transferred to UNC for his junior season after spending his first two years at North Dakota State. This spring he batted .356 with a .467 on‑base percentage, .552 slugging and a 1.019 OPS, including six home runs, 19 doubles and eight triples over 68 games (339 plate appearances). He also stole base 26 times in 29 attempts and produced 45 walks against 32 strikeouts. Those numbers helped him draw interest from multiple scouting reports.

MLB Pipeline player profile

According to MLB Pipeline, “Schaffner has good feel for the barrel and focuses on lashing line drives from gap to gap. 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.” On defense, the same report notes, “He’s a rangy and extremely reliable defender at shortstop, though his arm likely will dictate a move to second base in pro ball. 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.” The combination of a solid bat and dependable glove fits Boston’s developmental plans.

Draft context and additional picks

Boston entered Saturday’s draft with two more selections: the 67th overall pick (a Competitive Balance Round B choice) and No. 96 overall in the third round. The 67th pick was acquired from the Brewers on February 9 as part of a six‑player trade. In that deal, Boston sent Kyle Harrison, David Hamilton and Shane Drohan to Milwaukee and received Caleb Durbin, Anthony Seigler and Andruw Monasterio in return. The club also forfeited its second‑ and fourth‑round picks earlier when they signed Ranger Suarez to a five‑year, $130 million contract.

Overall, the Red Sox hold 19 selections in this draft, giving them plenty of opportunities to build the future roster. The extra picks add flexibility as they continue to develop young talent after the Suarez signing limited their mid‑round capital.

Implications for Boston

Jake Schaffner’s addition provides Boston with a potential cornerstone at shortstop, combining a disciplined bat with strong defensive instincts. His age and college resume suggest he could enter the pro system within a year, giving the Red Sox an early look at how he adapts. If his arm develops to the level needed for second base, he could become a two‑way contributor, a rarity in today’s baseball. With nearly 20 draft picks, the organization can continue to flesh out the infield while monitoring Schaffner’s progress.

Read the original article on MassLive.