2026 Prospects

[sk7326]

Keith Law's writeup of the Sox draft: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7443639/2026/07/15/al-east-draft-grades-picks-mlb-2026/

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Boston Red Sox: Schaffner a reach in the first; bat-to-ball skills front and center

The Red Sox took UNC shortstop Jake Schaffner (1) with their first pick, one of the biggest reaches in the first round, as I had him 79th on my board. I do like the bat, as he almost never misses when he swings at strikes, and there may be a little more pop in there with some swing help. He’s a plus runner but isn’t good at shortstop, so center field may be a better option. He’d have to turn into an elite hitter for average for this pick to work out.

Schaffner’s teammate Owen Hull (CBB) could turn into a 20-homer guy if he just pulls the ball in the air more. He has strength and a solid eye, with good contact skills, but puts the ball on the ground too often.

Wisconsin high school shortstop Jace Mataczynski (3) is a good athlete with great bat-to-ball skills — you may be noticing a trend here — but he’s barely filled out his frame. He could be a plus defender at shortstop. I thought he’d end up at Auburn and let his body develop, with first-round upside in three years, so that’s something.

Florida Atlantic left-hander Kide Adetuyi (7) missed the 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, then barely pitched — and not that well — in 2025, but 2026 was a breakout year for him as he struck out 27.5 percent of batters he faced while walking barely over 10 percent in 13 starts. He’s heavy on the slider, which is a 55, but tops out at 92 and probably has to go to relief.

Cal Poly left-hander Josh Volmerding (8) is 6-foot-4 with a low-90s fastball, above-average slider and a pretty fast arm. He missed a chunk of the spring with a knee injury and threw only 27 2/3 innings with a 6.51 ERA, but wasn’t much better as a sophomore.

Georgia high school outfielder Martin Shelar (9) can run and has some bat speed, getting his front foot down super late with zero load in his swing. I don’t see how he’s going to drive the ball at all like this.

Right-hander Kaleb LaFavor (10) was a bit of a pop-up guy late this spring, since Iowa high schools don’t play their seasons until the summer. He’s up to 96 and is very projectable at 6-foot-7, with a body that looks like he’s all legs. It is a wild delivery, as violent as it gets, with a big head whack and a short stride. He’s committed to Iowa.

 

Shelar looks like the clear guy the Sox are scrounging away slot pool money for.