Scott Forbes and the Diamond Heels are getting an experienced arm back for 2027

Keeping It Heel · Jul 23, 2026 00:21 · 3 min read

Scott Forbes and the Diamond Heels are getting an experienced arm back for 2027 — Jun 17, 2026; Omaha, NE, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels starting pitcher Folger Boaz (36) pitches against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the first inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

This news is good news for the Diamond Heels, as you can never have enough depth on the mound!

Following the conclusion of the 2026 MLB Draft, many wondered what the future would look like for left-hander Folger Boaz.

After going undrafted, Boaz had a decision to make. Does he return to North Carolina for what would be his senior year, or take a chance on himself by signing with a professional team?

Well, that answer was finally revealed on Wednesday.

Folger Boaz to return for his senior season

Inside Carolina was the first to report the news that Boaz plans to return to Chapel Hill for another season. This is a solid boost for the 2027 Diamond Heels as they return another veteran arm to the pitching staff.

A 6-foot-2 left-hander, Boaz served as the Tar Heels' Sunday starter this past season, returning to the rotation after being used mostly as a reliever during the 2025 campaign. He made 18 appearances (15 starts), posting a 6.83 ERA across his 59.1 innings of work.

Let's remember: this was the Tar Heels' Friday night starter in 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury. While his numbers since returning haven't been ideal, the Diamond Heels definitely believe he can regain his form, hoping he'll do it during his senior season on campus.

The 2026 MLB Draft delivered the best of both worlds for the Diamond Heels

What his role will be is undetermined at this point. If he impresses during fall camp, Boaz might just work his way into the rotation, joining youngsters Caden Glauber and Jackson Rose among the weekend starters. He might also factor in as a high-leverage situation lefty out of the bullpen, a role that could fit him well given he's shown short spurts of being able to get outs.

Regardless of what his role will be, bringing Boaz back into the fold for another season is a good thing for North Carolina, especially given that you can never have enough pitching depth.

While some might question why his return is so big, let's remember that Scott Forbes trusted him enough to start him during postseason action. Even though he was on a very short leash, Forbes had faith in the left-hander, the first guy to commit to him when he took over as the program's head coach, showing us that we to should have faith that he will get back to being the pitcher we all thought he would be when he arrived on campus for his freshman season.

The decision is a smart one for Boaz. Instead of rushing his way to professional baseball, another year at the college ranks won't hurt him one bit, as it will provide him the opportunity to increase his value ahead of next year's draft. Once he unlocks the potential that the staff saw in him when they recruited him, MLB teams will be showing plenty of interest by this time next year, setting himself up nicely to begin the next chapter of his baseball career.

North Carolina is simply reloading with the goal of making a deep run in Omaha again in 2027, and Folger Boaz could be a major part of that run on the mound.