Several UNC baseball players have been selected in the 2026 MLB Draft, which runs through Sunday in Philadelphia. The MLB Draft is different from its counterparts in leagues such as the NFL and NBA, in that players with remaining eligibility can choose to return to school even after being drafted.
Here’s a look at which Diamond Heels are going where:
SS Jake Schaffner — Boston Red Sox (1st round, 20th overall)
North Carolina infielder Jake Schaffner (2) bats during an NCAA baseball College World Series game against West Virginia, Sunday, June 14, 2026 in Omaha, Neb. North Carolina won 5-2. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
Jake Schaffner became the first Diamond Heel off the board when the Boston Red Sox selected him with the 20th overall pick in the draft’s first round. The selection marked the third consecutive year in which UNC has produced a first-round pick. Schaffner was a rock both in the batter’s box and at his shortstop position: he batted .356 in the leadoff spot and never let his average dip below .314, while also only committing three fielding errors across 68 games played. Schaffner also tied a UNC single-season program record with eight triples.
OF Owen Hull — Boston Red Sox (2nd round, 67th overall)
North Carolina infielder Owen Hull (8) runs the bases after hitting a homer during an NCAA baseball College World Series game against Mississippi, Friday, June 12, 2026 in Omaha, Neb. North Carolina won 6-2. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
The Red Sox doubled up on Diamond Heels by selecting Owen Hull with the No. 67 overall pick. Like his teammate Schaffner, Hull joined UNC out of the transfer portal before the 2026 season and molded himself into a top prospect: he led the team in batting average, hits, doubles, runs batted in, total bases, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and walks. His clutch hitting helped send Carolina to Omaha, spreading the legend of “the O-Zone” among UNC fans.
SP Jason DeCaro — Pittsburgh Pirates (3rd round, 80th overall)
North Carolina pitcher Jason DeCaro (29) during an NCAA baseball College World Series game against Mississippi, Friday, June 12, 2026 in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
DeCaro became the third Diamond Heel off the board when the Pittsburgh Pirates selected the righty in the third round. A three-year starter in Chapel Hill, DeCaro joined the program at age 17 and helped lead Carolina to two Men’s College World Series appearances in three years, starting the team’s opening game in Omaha each time. He earned All-ACC honors in each of his three seasons with UNC and was named to the first team as a junior. His 19 starts and 97.1 innings pitched in 2026 were each team highs.
SP Ryan Lynch — San Diego Padres (3rd round, 97th overall)
Image via Chapel Hill Media Group/Chance Bragg
A draft-eligible sophomore, Lynch’s selection by the San Diego Padres in the third round made him the fourth Diamond Heel selected Saturday. The 2026 season was Lynch’s first as a full-time starter, but the flamethrowing righty made his presence felt in each of his two years in Chapel Hill. In 2025, he was named a second team freshman All-American and appeared in 27 games, including a start in UNC’s ACC Championship win against Clemson. The next year, Lynch started 18 games and posted a 5-4 record with a 4.21 earned run average. He was named third team All-ACC.
Featured image via Associated Press/Vera Nieuwenhuis
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