SerpApi.Org
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina pitcher Folger Boaz plans to return to Chapel Hill for his senior season rather than begin his professional career, a source close to the situation confirmed to Inside Carolina on Wednesday.
The decision comes after indications throughout the season and leading up to this month’s MLB Draft suggested Boaz was strongly considering beginning his professional career, even as an undrafted free agent, and forgoing his remaining eligibility at North Carolina.
Despite not appearing on the major public draft boards, industry sources described the left-handed junior as an intriguing developmental prospect, citing his upside if a professional organization can further develop his secondary pitches in addition to his fastball — which has climbed as high as 96 miles per hour.
Instead, the Pilot Mountain, N.C., native will return for his fourth season in Chapel Hill, giving North Carolina another experienced arm in 2027 alongside returning pitchers Caden Glauber, Walker McDuffie and Jackson Rose, as well as seven transfer additions, including James Voorhies, Scott Doran and Preston Crowl.
The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Boaz made 18 appearances, including 15 starts, in 2026, posting a 6.83 ERA across 59.1 innings while striking out 56 batters and allowing 86 hits as North Carolina’s third weekend starter.
Boaz’s best outing came in his season debut against Indiana on Feb. 14, when he allowed one run on two hits over 5.0 innings while striking out six. He turned in another strong performance on May 10 against Pitt, punching out eight Panthers — one shy of the career-high nine he recorded as a freshman in 2024.
Boaz pitched 6.1 innings across three appearances during North Carolina’s run to last month’s national title series, allowing four runs on 10 hits while striking out seven.
Boaz returned to North Carolina’s weekend rotation in 2026 after spending much of his sophomore season in the bullpen. In 2025, the left-hander made 23 appearances, including 19 in relief, posting a 3.90 ERA with 30 strikeouts across 30.0 innings while compiling a 3-0 record.
Boaz opened his North Carolina career as the Tar Heels’ Friday night starter in 2024, making nine starts while posting a 5.77 ERA across 39.0 innings before a season-ending injury cut his freshman season short.
