The Yankees again have tapped into the international market to land a highly coveted teen out of the Dominican Republic who they believe can be an impact bat in their system in due time.
Mani Cedeno, MLB Pipeline’s No. 11 international prospect, joins the Yankees as the headlining signee of their 2025 class. A shortstop, he hails from the famous San Pedro de Macorís, known for its tendency to produce ballplayers — particularly those who can pick it at short.
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Cedeno’s deal is for $2.5 million. The club received $6.26 million in pool money this year.
Cedeno will be 16 years old for almost the entirety of his first pro season. That, coupled with his all-around skill set, has evaluators excited about his ceiling. He trains with Daniel Brito at the Paulino Baseball Academy, a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program.
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. The athleticism that lends to the belief he could be an impact defender, as well as a threat on the basepaths, plays up in the box.
Scouts well versed in what helps players stick at shortstop speak to the softness in which Cedeno receives the ball and how he uses his feet to put himself in position to make a variety of plays. There’s even more arm strength in the tank, which he often sacrifices in favor of making crisp and accurate throws, a trait that has impressed evaluators.
2025 international signings:
ALE: BAL | BOS | NYY | TB | TOR
ALC: CLE | CWS | DET | KC | MIN
ALW: ATH | HOU | LAA | SEA | TEX
NLE: ATL | MIA | NYM | PHI | WSH
NLC: CHC | CIN | MIL | PIT | STL
NLW: AZ | COL | LAD | SD | SF
Over the past handful of seasons, the Yankees have honed in on a top international talent and struck: Jasson Domínguez (ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Yankees’ No. 1 prospect and the No. 21 overall prospect) signed for $5.1 million in 2019. Roderick Arias (Yankees’ No. 4) got $4 million in 2022, and Brando Mayea (Yankees’ No. 13) landed $4.35 million in 2023. Both Domínguez and Arias were the No. 1 overall prospects in their class.
For all of the excitement around Cedeno, it’s worth remembering that international prospect development can often take time. Arias, a fellow shortstop who is still just 20 years old, finished up his first taste of Single-A this fall. There is enough separation in terms of levels between the two that Cedeno should have some significant leeway as it pertains to reps at shortstop, at least at the onset of his pro journey.
New York’s commitment to the international market has paid dividends in increasing its prospect depth. Twelve of its current Top 30 prospects are international signings, with the group an impressive mix of pitchers and position players at various spots on the diamond.
An international player is eligible to sign with a Major League team between Jan. 15 and Dec. 15. He must turn 16 before he signs and be 17 before Sept. 1 the following year.
That means players born between Sept. 1, 2007, and Aug. 31, 2008, are eligible to sign in the current signing period. Players must be registered with Major League Baseball in advance to be eligible to sign.
