UNC Baseball Stars Set for 2026 MLB Draft

Top UNC Prospects in the Spotlight

North Carolina’s 2026 freshman class is producing several elite prospects who are expected to hear their names called this weekend. TheTar Heels boasting five names on the radar: Owen Hull, Jake Schaffner, Ryan Lynch, Jason DeCaro and Gavin Gallaher. All five have secured spots on both ESPN’s final MLB Draft rankings and MLB’s Top 250 Draft Prospects list, signaling broad recognition across scouting agencies.

• Owen Hull (Junior) – ESPN No. 62, MLB No. 67, slot value $1,382,600
• Jake Schaffner (Junior) – ESPN No. 51, MLB No. 75, slot value $1,451,700
• Ryan Lynch (Sophomore) – ESPN No. 111, MLB No. 98, slot value $747,700
• Jason DeCaro (Junior) – ESPN No. 97, MLB No. 133, slot value $677,500
• Gavin Gallaher (Junior) – ESPN No. 132, MLB No. 200, slot value $413,900

Additional talent shines through in the incoming class. Harrison Ailshie, a freshman outfielder from East Rowan High School (Salisbury, N.C.), also cracked ESPN’s list, posted at No. 197 with a $319,600 slot. The Tar Heels’ depth is further underscored by Macon Winslow and Erik Paulsen, who could still attract interest despite not being in the top 250.

Weekend Draft Schedule and Signing Deadline

The 2026 MLB draft opens Saturday at 1 p.m. ET with the first ten selections televised on NBC and Peacock. Coverage moves to MLB Network for picks 11 through 40 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., while the remainder of Day 1 (rounds 41‑135) streams on MLB.com. The action resumes Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET, with rounds 5‑20 airing on MLB.com through 7:30 p.m. ET.

Prospects have until 5 p.m. ET on July 27 to execute their contracts. The first ten rounds each carry a prescribed slot value, though teams may negotiate above or below those figures. This weekend’s environment favors UNC’s higher‑valued players like Hull and Schaffner, who could attract early interest from competitive organizations.

Context from Recent UNC Draft History

The 2025 draft highlighted UNC’s emerging pipeline, with four Tar Heels selected: Luke Stevenson (No. 35), Kane Kepley (No. 56), Aidan Haugh (No. 177) and Jake Knapp (No. 241). Stevenson and Kepley signed immediately, turning pro, while Haugh and Knapp had already exhausted their eligibility. Haugh’s return to Chapel Hill for a second draft year—after a 2024 stint with the Minnesota Twins—demonstrates the program’s ability to develop players who remain draft‑eligible.

The depth displayed in 2025, combined with the 2026 class’s rankings, signals a sustained period of elite talent flowing from the Tar Heels to professional baseball. Fans can expect continued high‑profile coverage as the weekend unfolds, with each player’s stock potentially reshaping their draft trajectory.