BREAKING: Red Sox Select SS Jake Schaffner With 20th Pick in the 2026 MLB Draft

With the 20th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Boston Red Sox have selected Jake Schaffner.

Schaffner is an infielder who played shortstop for North Carolina in 2026 after spending his first two collegiate seasons at NDSU. He's carried over an impressively similar level of production in 2026 against much stiffer opposition. Schaffner hits from the left side. It's an offensive profile predicated on exceptional bat-to-ball skills. His overall contact rate in 2026 sits at ~88%, with a 94% rate in zone. There's some pop in the profile, with six home runs, and 42 extra-base hits.

All of this is backed up by a strong approach, as Schaffner doesn't chase much and has walked over 13% of the time in 2026. He is a good up-the-middle defender. There's an average arm in there, and while he may move off shortstop eventually, he should be able to stick on the dirt, most likely at second base. Throw in above-average speed and savvy as a baserunner (25 stolen bases in 2026 at 89%), and there's a promising infield utility profile.

In the last three drafts, the Red Sox have selected Kyle Teel, Branden Montgomery and Kyson Witherspoon in the first round. This year, they went for a bit of a reach, as they took Schaffner who was projected to go 69th in DiamondCentric’s final mock draft. 

Schaffner has had history playing not just shortstop, but also second base and third base. Last year, he appeared in 68 games with North Carolina where he showcased his exceptional bat-to-ball skills as he slashed .356/.467/.552 with most of his power being gap-to-gap. Overall, he had 19 doubles, eight triples, six home runs and 50 RBIs while also swiping 26 bases. He also had 45 walks to 32 strikeouts. He could be a candidate for the Red Sox's bat speed program to increase his power output. He could turn into a steal if his hit tool develops into a major-league quality skill when paired with his speed.   

Schaffner has some concerns as to whether he’ll stick at shortstop much like Henry Godbout last year, but he could slide over to either second base or third base. Floor-wise, the infielder should be seen as a utility infielder with solid contact skills. 

In each of his drafts Craig Breslow has focused on a different direction with his first pick and that trend continues in 2026. With Schaffner likely to be an under-slot pick, that frees up some capital for the team to take a risk on a high-upside player in the later rounds.  

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