​The Sporting News originally featured a profile about the Yankees’ latest draft selection, a catcher named Bear who happens to be the brother of an NL All-Star but was left off the All-Star roster this time around. Add The Sporting News as a preferred source by clicking here. Bear is a fitting name for a catcher, and it now belongs to the newest pick the New York Yankees made in the 2026 MLB Draft: Bear Harrison. He was selected with the No. 160 overall pick.
Harrison played his college baseball at Texas A&M, where he posted a .297 batting average in 2026. He also set an Aggies program record by being hit by a pitch 23 times in a single season, a footnote that certainly stings but also speaks to his willingness to get on base. His journey to Texas A&M began at Saint Mary’s in the West Coast Conference, before transferring to continue his development with the Aggies.
Perhaps the most interesting tidbit from his basic biographical information is his brother, Kyle. Kyle Harrison is a left-handed pitcher who drew attention from major league scouts. He was involved in a trade scenario this offseason, moving from the Boston Red Sox to the Milwaukee Brewers, where he has since shown promise. Despite an All-Star-caliber case, Kyle was not selected for the All-Star roster and is currently dealing with an injury. The connection between Bear and Kyle hints at a baseball-rich upbringing that likely contributed to Bear’s own pursuit of the majors.
Bear Harrison will need to prove himself as he begins his professional journey in the minor leagues. The Yankees have faced catching challenges this season, and a fifth-round pick like Bear is not expected to be an immediate fix at the major league level. Instead, he will have to grow his game gradually on each rung of the minor league ladder. If everything goes well, there’s a path that could lead him to the majors sometime down the road.
He has a memorable name and strong athletic genes, but now Bear Harrison must demonstrate his talent, work ethic, and adaptability at every level of development. The question remains: can he translate his potential into major league success? The odds are long, the process is demanding, and the timeline is uncertain, but the journey begins now for Bear as he chases a future in which catching at the highest level becomes a possibility.