​The Yankees have landed their first position player of the 2026 MLB Draft after kicking off the proceedings with two left-handed pitchers. Following the selections of southpaws Hunter Dietz from Arkansas with their first pick and Sean Duncan, a high school right-hander from British Columbia, with their second, New York circled back to the SEC to address one of the thinnest areas in their farm system: catcher. The organization added right-handed hitting catcher Brendan Brock from the University of Oklahoma with the 99th overall selection.
Brock, a redshirt junior who turns 22 in less than a month, hails from Belleville, Illinois. He’s pegged around the draft’s expected range, with top-100 rankings from multiple outlets: No. 90 on Perfect Game’s Big Board, No. 112 on MLB Pipeline, and No. 113 according to Baseball America. Here is a condensed scouting assessment from Baseball America for a catcher described as possessing an “atypical toolset.”
In a draft class that features an unusually deep pool of athletic college catchers, Brock stands out for having perhaps the most unconventional toolset. He’s a true 70-grade runner, and many scouts believe he’s the quickest running catcher they’ve ever seen. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Brock carries a lean, athletic frame with solid bat speed and plus raw power. He has displayed impressive gap-to-gap game power this season, though that power comes with below-average contact skills and a hit tool that is still developing. Brock is longer and lankier than most catchers, yet he possesses a plus arm that could be a major asset behind the plate if he can sharpen his footwork and his exchange. His speed and arm strength also give him the versatility to handle all three outfield positions. Playing in the outfield might be easier on his legs and would help him maintain his most projectable tool over a full pro season.
Brock’s draft stock rose significantly after a standout redshirt sophomore year at Southwestern Illinois Community College, where he ranked third nationally among junior college players in OPS (1.435), crushed 20 homers, and swiped 27 bases. He spurned an over-slot offer from the Brewers, who attempted to draft him in the 14th round of the 2025 MLB Draft, instead opting to transfer to Oklahoma in hopes of elevating his draft stock further.
After moving into the highly competitive SEC, Brock’s numbers cooled somewhat, but he still posted an impressive .302/.399/.522 line with 13 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 28 stolen bases in 65 games for Oklahoma. He then elevated his performance on the national stage during the NCAA Tournament, leading his team in batting (.457) and on-base percentage (.576). Brock played a pivotal role in Oklahoma’s march to the program’s third College World Series title, batting .400 with eight hits, five walks, a double, a home run, and three RBIs across the series.
Despite a modest dip in form upon transitioning to the SEC, Brock’s standout performance in the College World Series suggests he’ll command a signing bonus close to the slot value assigned to the No. 99 pick, which is approximately $792,300. The larger question facing Brock, however, is where his future position will lie. He is right-handed and could be groomed as a catcher, though his athleticism and arm strength provide intriguing possibilities at other positions as well. The Yankees’ 99th pick signals their willingness to invest in a toolsy, high-upside backstop with the potential to grow into a two-way contributor behind the plate.