July 11, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Red Sox select Jace Mataczynski with No. 96 overall pick
With their third-round pick in the 2026 draft, Boston has selected Jace Mataczynski, a shortstop out of Hudson HS (WI). Mataczynski is committed to Auburn and the slot value for this selection is $815,700. This is the third consecutive year that a high school player from the Badger State has been selected in the first five rounds.
Prior to the fall, it seemed like the Wisconsin product would get to campus and end up on the Plains, but he had a great event at Perfect Game's WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Florida, going 6 for 11 with three extra-base hits.
This goes along with a highly athletic 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame, with the glove and arm, both of which are 60-grades at each of Baseball America and MLBPipeline, to stick at shortstop, according to both Baseball America and MLBPipeline. The former ranked him just outside its top 100, at No. 102, while the latter isn't quite as high on Mataczynski, down at No. 131.
The knock on the Wisconsin native is his swing. According to MLBPipeline, he has the bat speed, but it isn't fluid and Baseball America reports that he has a long swing. This, combined with his lack of time on the showcase circuit, leaves scouts unsure of whether he'll be able to hit enough, though Baseball America is of the opinion that, when combined with his 60-grade speed, that he has 20-20 upside, as a prospect that's power-over-hit at present.
Photo credit: Jace Mataczynski by Prep Baseball Report