Written by Christian Bateman
Macon Winslow will indeed play baseball at the highest level possible.
The hometown Hertford native and former ACC standout catcher was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth round with the 190th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.
The selection gives the Phillies another big-time bat while adding depth to their catching corps.
For Winslow, the decision to pursue his dream of playing professional baseball was a no-brainer compared to returning to Chapel Hill for his senior season. The assigned slot value for the 190th pick is approximately $300,000.
Winslow heads to the minor leagues after putting together the best season of his collegiate career at the University of North Carolina. In his lone season with the Tar Heels after transferring from Tobacco Road rival Duke, he appeared in 67 games and earned Third Team All-ACC honors. He finished the year batting .282 with 67 hits, 10 home runs, and 57 RBIs.
Now, the catcher/designated hitter is taking his talents to professional baseball. Winslow is no stranger to taking the next step, as he spent his senior year at Pro5 Baseball Academy to gain additional exposure before beginning his collegiate career at Duke.
While this weekend marks the beginning of Winslow's professional career, his love for the game was born on the baseball fields of Hertford.
Growing up in the small community of Perquimans County, Winslow becomes just the second player from Hertford to be drafted this decade.
He helped lead Perquimans High School to two NCHSAA 1A State Championships, joining current Spokane Indians prospect Tanner Thach as another Pirate to reach professional baseball. Winslow's name quickly became known far beyond eastern North Carolina. He crushed a home run at Tropicana Field during the prestigious Perfect Game National Showcase and was ranked as the No. 6 catcher in the nation and the top catcher in North Carolina coming out of high school.
As one of the nation's elite catchers, Winslow also earned the honor of representing Team USA, where he won a gold medal.
Winslow spent two seasons with the Duke Blue Devils under head coach Chris Pollard before transferring to North Carolina. This past season, he helped lead the Tar Heels to the NCAA College World Series, where they finished as national runners-up.
From leading Perquimans High School to two state championships, to committing to Duke, to transferring to North Carolina, and now hearing his name called in the MLB Draft, Winslow's work ethic, talent, and passion for the game have carried him to the doorstep of "The Show."
Today is just the beginning. The foundation has been laid, and the name Macon Winslow has every opportunity to become a household name in the years to come.