The New York Yankees used the 94th overall pick of the 2012 MLB Draft to select Miami Hurricanes catcher Peter O'Brien. O'Brien was the Colorado Rockies' 2011 third-round draft pick, but he did not sign. Instead of returning to Bethune-Cookman for his senior season, O'Brien transferred to the Miami Hurricanes.
He hit 20 home runs as a sophomore, slumped in his junior year and then hit .340 with 10 home runs as a senior. The Yankees will likely keep him at catcher for as long as they can, but it is possible he will play his way off the position. The Yankees also have Gary Sanchez in the prospect pipeline, which means a position switch might be coming anyway.
The Rockies received a Compensation B pick for not signing O'Brien and will make that pick after the third round.
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