UNC Baseball
Complete coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels Baseball.
'Off the wall' or not, Red Sox confident in top MLB Draft pick, UNC shortstop Jake Schaffner
The Boston Red Sox knew there might be public backlash when they went outside the box with their first-round pick (20th overall) in the MLB Draft on Saturday, selecting North Carolina shortstop
Jake Schaffner -- but they trusted their internal instincts and went for it anyway. The left-handed hitter was ranked No. 75 on MLB Pipeline’s prospect rankings. (
MLB.com)
UNC pitcher Ryan Lynch drafted in the third round by San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres selected UNC pitcher
Ryan Lynch in the third round of the MLB Draft on Saturday, with the right-hander capping a two-season rise in Chapel Hill that featured big-game starts, a mid-90s fastball, and a wipeout slider. Lynch’s name had been rising all spring, and when the call came on Saturday it completed a rapid career arc. (
Tar Heel Tribune)
Jason DeCaro selected by Pittsburgh Pirates in third round of MLB Draft
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected
Jason DeCaro as the No. 80 overall pick in the third round of the MLB Draft on Saturday after a junior season at UNC when he combined heavy innings, swing-and-miss stuff, and a steady, process-driven approach. DeCaro’s ascent to the ace of the Tar Heels’ staff led to College World Series starts in multiple seasons. (
Tar Heel Tribune)
Owen Hull Selected In Second Round of MLB Draft By Boston Red Sox
Following a standout junior season in Chapel Hill,
Owen Hull has earned his shot at the pros. The Tar Heel center fielder heard his name called by the Boston Red Sox with the No. 67 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft Saturday. Spearheading North Carolina’s offense this season, Hull led the Tar Heels in batting average (.393), OPS (1.115) and RBIs (87). (
Inside Carolina)
Jake Schaffner drafted No. 20 overall by Boston Red Sox in MLB first round
Jake Schaffner was selected Saturday by Boston Red Sox as the No. 20 overall pick in the first round of the MLB Draft, capping a season that paired elite on-base skills with Gold Glove-level defense and postseason poise. Schaffner, No. 75 on the Top 250 prospects list, finished among UNC's leaders in batting average, on-base percentage, and stolen bases. (
Tar Heel Tribune)
Diamond Heels in the minor leagues: Kane Kepley still rolling; good outings for Austin Love
Kane Kepley had a rare rough day on Thursday for the South Bend Cubs, but he’s had an incredible season in the High Class A Midwest League. Kepley leads the league in runs scored — he’s got 83. On July 5,
Austin Love threw two scoreless innings (9th and 10th) to secure a 2-1 walk-off victory for Triple A Memphis against Charlotte on Thursday. (
Salisbury Post)
UNC baseball stars poised for 2026 MLB draft
Several North Carolina baseball players are expected to take the next step in their careers in the MLB draft. Five members of the Tar Heels' 2026 squad are expected to be drafted: Owen Hull,
Jake Schaffner, Ryan Lynch,
Jason DeCaro, and
Gavin Gallaher. They all appeared in ESPN‘s final MLB Draft rankings and MLB's Top 250 Draft Prospects list. (
USA Today)
Alexandria native Owen Hull expected to hear name called at MLB Draft
The next chapter of
Owen Hull's baseball journey is just days away. The Alexandria, Virginia, native, who starred at Bishop Ireton High School before playing at George Mason and helping North Carolina reach the Men's College World Series championship series, is now waiting for the biggest moment of his career: the Major League Baseball Draft. (
WJLA)
MLB Draft Primer for Carolina Baseball
After finishing one win shy of a national title in 2026, members of UNC baseball will take the next step in their careers at this weekend’s MLB Draft. Following all-conference caliber campaigns, Owen Hull,
Jake Schaffner, Ryan Lynch,
Jason DeCaro and
Gavin Gallaher all appeared in ESPN‘s final MLB Draft rankings and MLB‘s Top 250 Draft Prospects list. (
Inside Carolina)
Orioles minor league report: What’s going on with Vance Honeycutt?
Vance Honeycutt knows his pro baseball career hasn’t gotten off to the start he wanted. The outfielder, the Orioles’ first-round draft pick two years ago, has spent parts of three seasons in High-A. Even as the club moved from Aberdeen to Frederick, he remained. In 163 career High-A games, Honeycutt is hitting .175 and has struck out 286 times. (
MSN.com)