It’s been over a month since the Boston Red Sox welcomed 17 new prospects to their organization during the 2026 MLB Draft. As the minor league season winds down, five members of the Red Sox draft class have joined affiliates and begun their professional careers, including top pick Jake Schaffner and ninth-rounder Martin Shelar. 

Here’s what you need to know about how they’ve performed thus far. 

The Red Sox made one of the more surprising selections of the first round, selecting the University of North Carolina middle infielder, who had been ranked as the No. 75 prospect in the draft, with the 20th overall pick. He signed for a well-underslot deal of $2 million. 

After two weeks at the Red Sox facilities in Ft. Myers, Schaffner was assigned to High-A Greenville to begin his professional career on Aug. 1. In 14 games for the Drive, Schaffner has hit .262/.324/.354/.678 with five extra-base hits and nine RBI. The 21-year-old has shown the same great control on the zone that led to the Red Sox selecting him in the first round, ranking in the 86th percentile with a 20.9 percent whiff rate, while his chase rate of 24.86 percent falls in the 73rd percentile.

Schaffner’s 89.91 percent zone contact rate is among the best at the level; however, his 58.3 percent ground ball rate has not yet allowed him to tap into power. Similarly, his seven percent walk rate hasn’t allowed him to get on base consistently enough to use his 60-grade speed. 

Schaffner is currently rated as the No. 6 prospect in the Red Sox organization, according to SoxProspects.com. 

Hull was selected with the No. 67 pick in the draft out of North Carolina which completed the Caleb Durbin/Kyle Harrison offseason trade, signing for $1.2 million, just under the slot value of the pick. Like Schaffner, Hull joined Greenville on Aug. 1 for his first minor league action. 

The 22-year-old outfielder has made a strong first impression in his first 14 games for Greenville, hitting .316/.437/.456/.893 with one home run, five doubles and 10 RBI, while walking more than he’s struck out. While the surface stats are incredibly encouraging, there’s reason to believe Hull has another level to reach as his development continues. Like Schaffner, Hull has yet to consistently elevate the ball, posting a ground ball rate of 67.4 percent, ranking in the first percentile among all High-A batters. 

Hull is currently ranked as the eighth best prospect in the Boston system. 

The 19-year-old power-hitting outfielder is one of the Crown Jewels of Boston’s 2026 class. After being selected in the ninth round, Shelar signed for a record-setting $1.5 million signing bonus, forgoing his commitment to Mississippi State.

Given that he was selected out of high school, the Red Sox played things a little slower with Shelar, waiting until Aug. 18 before assigning him to Single-A Salem to make his professional debut. In his first four games of affiliated play, Shelar has struggled, going just 3-for-19 with one RBI, while striking out 42.1 percent of the time. 

Despite his struggles, the organization felt Shelar was ready to join an affiliate, while fellow high school draftee and over-slot signee Jace Mataczynski (third round) has yet to debut. 

SoxProspects currently ranks Shelar as the No. 14 prospect in the Red Sox system. 

The 21-year-old shortstop was the Red Sox' 11th-round selection out of Georgia State, signing an over-slot deal of $250,000. Macginnis joined Salem on Aug. 11, where he’s hit .194/.390/.290/.680 with one home run and three RBI in eight games while walking eight times and striking out only four times. 

According to SoxProspects, Macginnis has a “Projectable frame that could add more mass and strength as he matures. Solid bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline. Below-average present power, but has the upside to develop gap power if he can add mass and lift the ball more. Above-average runner who utilizes his athleticism well. Stolen base threat. Versatile defender with a solid glove and smooth footwork. Able to play shortstop, third base, and second base. Above-average arm strength.” 

He is currently not ranked in the organization's top 60. 

Coates is the final member of the Red Sox draft class to make his professional debut thus far. The 21-year-old shortstop was selected in the 16th round out of Louisiana Tech University, signing for a slot value deal of $150,000. Coates, like Macginnis, joined Salem on Aug. 11, where he has hit .257/.325/.343/.668 with six RBI in eight games. 

As noted by SoxProspects, Coates is a “Physically mature, switch-hitting infielder. Future projection lies less in physical growth and more in unlocking mechanical upside to elevate below-average power currently. Calling card is a potential average hit tool with excellent plate discipline. Above-average defensive grades at shortstop despite lacking range and elite athleticism.”

Meanwhile, back in Boston, the Red Sox kicked off a seven-game road trip in Miami, extending their winning streak to four with a 4-2 win over the Marlins at Loan Depot Park on Monday night. They’ll look to make it five straight on Tuesday night when Payton Tolle (8-6, 3.08 ERA) takes the mound opposite Tyler Phillips (3-6, 3.67 ERA) for Miami. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET.