Red Sox Draft Day 2: Schaffner at 20, Arias Headed to Futures Game
Published July 12, 2026 at 11:05 am
The Red Sox took Jake Schaffner with the 20th overall pick on Day 1 of the 2026 MLB Draft, and based on the internet’s initial reaction, Craig Breslow’s front office didn’t exactly nail it. That’s a fair starting point—but let’s dig into what actually happened before we write the epitaph.
Schaffner at 20 suggests the Red Sox saw a prospect worth a premium early-round slot, even if the baseball internet wasn’t sold. In a draft class where talent distribution varies wildly, sometimes the guy you want isn’t the consensus guy. Breslow has been methodical about building this system, and a 20th overall pick doesn’t get handed out to projects. There’s conviction here, whether it lands or doesn’t.
More intriguing is Franklin Arias making the Futures Game. That’s an individual honor that carries real weight—it means Arias impressed enough people in the scouting and player development communities to earn one of those limited roster spots. The Futures Game isn’t a participation medal; it’s a statement that a prospect is tracking toward meaningful impact. For a Red Sox farm system that’s been quietly restocking under Breslow, having a name pop up in that kind of showcase is exactly the signal you want to see in mid-July.
The broader context matters here. Breslow inherited a system that had been picked clean. Year-to-year, he’s been adding depth through the draft, international signings, and strategic trades. A Day 1 first-rounder plus a Futures Game appearance suggests the portfolio is starting to yield results. Neither of these things—Schaffner or Arias—wins a World Series, but they’re the kind of foundational work that either sets you up or sets you back. The internet’s hot take probably says the Red Sox blew it. Time will tell whether they actually did.
