The Boston Red Sox entered the first day of the 2026 MLB Draft with three draft picks. They used their first pick, the 20th selection overall, to draft shortstop Jake Schaffner out of North Carolina. They made their second selection with the 67th pick, and they drafted another Tar Heel, outfielder Owen Hull. The Red Sox had one other pick on the first day, and they selected shortstop Jace Mataczynski from Hudson High School.
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Schaffner was a head-scratching pick that early in the draft but keeps them under slot and is not a bad pick. In 68 games for UNC this season, he hit .356 with a 1.019 OPS. He had 19 doubles, eight triples, six home runs, 50 RBI, 85 runs scored, 26 stolen bases, and 45 walks. He was tied for first in the NCAA in triples and tied for second in runs scored.
Hull impressed in the NCAA tournament this season and showed the talent he possesses. He hit .393 this season with a 1.115 OPS. He had 27 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 87 RBI, 60 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases.
Their final pick almost followed the trend as right-handed pitch Ryan Lynch from North Carolina was available. The Red Sox ultimately went with a high school shortstop, in Mataczynski, who is a player that is much like Schaffner but just from the high school level. Lunch was selected at the very next pick by the Padres.
Wrap Up
The Red Sox enter tomorrow with 16 picks; tomorrow, they’ll have one draft pick in each round. There’s still some solid talent available: catcher Deiten Lachance, shortstop Jaxon Willits, or even outfielder Tre Phelps.
