2013 MLB Draft Results: Yankees select SS John Murphy 194th overall

By TanyaAnderson@Tanya__Anderson Jun 7, 2013, 4:23pm EDT

After taking shortstop Tyler Wade in the fourth round, the Yankees went back to shortstop again in the sixth round with senior John Murphy out of Sacred Heart University. Murphy is a 5'11", 185 pound left-handed hitter from Seymour, Connecticut.

Baseball America does not have Murphy ranked in their top 500 prospects. Murphy played in the Cape Cod League last year for the Bourne Braves and was named MVP of the NEC Tournament with Sacred Heart, where he homered and drove in five runs. In 57 games for Sacred Heart this season, Murphy batted .374/.449/.576 with four homers and 29 stolen bases. His patience at the plate is going to need to improve for him, as he took only 26 walks in 203 at-bats this season. The hitting potential is certainly there, as he out-hit all his teammates by at least 20 this season.

Murphy led the Pioneers in all categories comfortably, and profiles as a bat that could fit in the top of the lineup going forward. Sacred Heart's baseball coach called him one of the most complete players the program has ever had. Murphy was instrumental in helping the Pioneers to multiple NEC titles and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

At 22 years old, he could likely start his season at either Staten Island or Charleston if he came to an agreement with the Yankees before too long. The good thing about college bats is that they don't have to toil around as long in the low levels of the minors while they develop. With Cito Culver already manning shortstop at Charleston, it will be interesting to see whether they have Murphy split time with him eventually, or if they keep Murphy in Staten Island until they figure out what to do with Culver if he doesn't start to hit.