‘Wisconsin’s done so many great things for me’: Jake Schaffner’s dream becomes first-round reality

JANESVILLE, Wis.

(WMTV) - Jake Schaffners baseball journey has taken him from Janesville Craig to college stops out of state.

Now, its taking him to the Boston Red Sox.

The Janesville native was selected 20th overall by Boston in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday night.

Schaffner said the last few days have moved fast as he starts to process what comes next.

Yeah, its been a whirlwind, but its been like such a blast, Schaffner said.

I still really cant wrap my head around it, but Im really excited for whats next.

Schaffner said the moment became real when he saw his name show up during the broadcast, and he immediately looked for the people who have been with him along the way.

Im like, Oh my gosh, I just got drafted, and I ran outside with a bunch of my family, he said.

When I got the call that it really happened, I just kind of broke down a little bit.

I hugged my mom, my dad, and the rest of my family members and friends.

The team on the other end of that call made it even more meaningful.

Schaffner said he grew up following Boston and always looked at Fenway Park as one of baseballs most iconic places.

I always knew about the Boston Red Sox when I was a little kid and now I can say I got drafted by him in the first round, Schaffner said.

Its just a super special moment.

Im super happy.

While his pro career now begins in the Red Sox organization, Schaffner said Wisconsin will always be a big part of who he is, and hes proud to represent the state at the next level.

I may be a little biased, but I think Wisconsins the greatest state in the country, Schaffner said.

Wisconsins done so many great things for me.

I loved every single minute growing up here and Im just super happy that I can represent Wisconsin while playing professional baseball.

However, Schaffners roots in Janesville go beyond just baseball.

At Janesville Craig, Schaffner was a three-sport letter winner in baseball, football and hockey.

On the diamond, he hit .433 for his prep career with 66 hits, 14 doubles, five triples and 53 stolen bases.

He also earned first-team all-conference honors at quarterback as a senior and collected all-conference and all-state recognition in hockey.

Schaffner added that he hopes younger athletes back home see his path as proof that big goals are possible, even when the road gets bumpy.

I just think that it can show its not always easy.

Theres a lot of ups and downs that come with it, Schaffner said.

But if you keep working, good things will happen.

Just keep working your butt off no matter what happens.

Schaffners journey has included stops at North Dakota State and North Carolina.

Now, as he heads toward his first steps in the big leagues, he said he plans to carry his Wisconsin roots with him, and use this moment as motivation for the next kid chasing the same dream.

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