The New York Yankees signed top international prospect Manny Cedeno on Jan. 24. The 16-year-old shortstop out of the Dominican Republic is considered one of the best prospects this season and one of the youngest. Cedeno signed for a $2.5 million bonus, according to International baseball reporter Francys Romero. The Yankees had been linked to Cedeno, who comes from the hometown of former Yankee slugger Robinson Cano, for a while.
They initially held back their international signing bonus pool money in case they could sign Japanese righthander Roki Sasaki. When he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Yankees money was freed up to sign Cedeno and several other players. That included Dominican infielder Carlos Bello and Dominican shortstop Ruben Castillo, according to Romero.
But Cedeno is the star of the class. “There is a ton of bat speed to dream on from Cedeno’s balanced and smooth right-handed swing. He does an excellent job of shifting his weight in the box to tap into power that is just beginning to emerge. His plus athleticism aids him in the box as he displays quick hands with almost no stiffness to his approach. If the pop begins to come consistently, Cedeno could be a fast riser through an organization’s ranks,” MLB Pipeline posted about the youngster from San Pedro de Marcoris. Defensively, scouts rave about Cedeno’s hands and feet.
“Scouts well versed in what helps players stick at (shortstop) speak to the softness in which he receives the ball and how he uses his feet to put himself in position to make a variety of plays. A high-floor player, Cedeno boasts all the raw tools that clubs seek out of a shortstop,” according to MLB Pipeline. Cedeno will not turn 17 until August.
