​The 2026 MLB Draft rolls on today, with rounds 5 through 20 taking place as the league wraps up the draft ahead of this year’s All-Star break. We’ll keep you posted on how the Yankees maneuver their mid-to-late round selections, beginning with rounds 5 through 10. Don’t miss our Day 1 analysis, where the Yankees drafted a pair of left-handed pitchers with their first two picks and added two right-handed JUCO bats with their third and fourth selections. It figures to be a busy afternoon as usual, and we’ll provide updates and commentary all afternoon as we uncover the identities of the newest Baby Bombers. Follow along with us!
Round 5, Pick 160: Bear Harrison, C, Texas A&M, 6’3” 230 lbs
Kicking off Day 2 of the 2026 draft, the Yankees return to the catcher position, selecting Bear Harrison from Texas A&M. The 21-year-old right-handed hitter is noted for his strong defensive tools behind the plate, including solid pop times to second, plus framing, and a long-standing emphasis the organization has placed on catching. Harrison hit well in the SEC as a senior, posting a slash line of .297/.495/.626. Baseball America, however, points out that his offensive profile can be polarizing: he’s physically strong but questions linger about his hitting upside, while teams that lean more on analytics might be drawn to his impressive exit velocity data and his patient approach, which has yielded a solid career 15.6% walk rate. The Yankees will likely embrace that analytically minded interpretation, betting that a mature approach and reliable college production can translate to the big leagues. Harrison, who is the younger brother of Brewers pitcher Kyle Harrison, will join Brendan Brock as the second catcher the Yankees take in this draft.
Round 6, Pick 189: Andrew Gonzalez, 3B, Americas High School (TX), 6’1” 195 lbs
In Round 6, the Yankees dip into the prep ranks, selecting Andrew Gonzalez out of Americas High School in Texas. Gonzalez, who has committed to Texas Tech and is sometimes referred to as “Drew,” did not appear in Baseball America’s top 500. There isn’t an abundance of information on his profile, but glimpses from MLB Network’s broadcast offer a few clues. Jim Callis noted that Gonzalez has real power potential, though there are questions about his ability to stick at third base, with first base and/or outfield being plausible outcomes for his glove. He appears to carry a strong arm and has some pop in his bat, but there isn’t a large amount of upside suggested on defense or baserunning.
Round 7, Pick 218: Michael Harpster, RHP, East Tennessee State, 6’0” 185 lbs
With their seventh selection, the Yankees opt for Michael Harpster, a right-handed pitcher from East Tennessee State. Harpster is on the smaller side at 6 feet, and he sits around 92 mph with his fastball, according to MLB Pipeline. While not towering on the radar, his peripherals, command, and secondary offerings are aspects teams will weigh as he transitions from college to professional baseball. The evaluation circles around whether his smaller frame can sustain velocity deeper into games and how his secondary pitches develop in the jump from college to pro ball. The Yankees’ scouting notes will be tuned to see if his repertoire can present a viable upside in the modern game.