The Yankees have once again turned to the international market to sign a highly sought-after teenage talent from the Dominican Republic, hoping he will eventually make an impact in their system.
Mani Cedeno, ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 11 international prospect, is the headline signee of their 2025 class. A shortstop from the renowned San Pedro de Macorís, a region known for producing skilled baseball players, especially shortstops, Cedeno’s potential has drawn considerable attention.
His signing is worth $2.5 million, with the Yankees receiving $6.26 million in pool money this year.
At 16 years old for nearly all of his first professional season, Cedeno’s all-around abilities have evaluators excited about his future. He trains under Daniel Brito at the Paulino Baseball Academy, which is part of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program.
Cedeno’s swing showcases impressive bat speed, with a smooth and balanced right-handed approach that offers plenty of potential for power as he continues to develop. He does a great job of shifting his weight in the batter’s box, allowing his emerging power to start showing. His athleticism not only suggests he could be a standout defender, but also a threat on the bases, with those traits translating well into his offensive game.
Scouts familiar with what it takes to stick at shortstop have noted Cedeno’s soft hands and his ability to position himself well defensively, using his feet to make a wide range of plays. There’s even more arm strength to tap into, though he often prioritizes making crisp, accurate throws—a quality that has caught the attention of evaluators.
Here’s a breakdown of the 2025 international signings by division:
American League East (ALE):
- Baltimore Orioles (BAL)
- Boston Red Sox (BOS)
- New York Yankees (NYY)
- Tampa Bay Rays (TB)
- Toronto Blue Jays (TOR)
American League Central (ALC):
- Cleveland Indians (CLE)
- Chicago White Sox (CWS)
- Detroit Tigers (DET)
- Kansas City Royals (KC)
- Minnesota Twins (MIN)
American League West (ALW):
- Oakland Athletics (ATH)
- Houston Astros (HOU)
- Los Angeles Angels (LAA)
- Seattle Mariners (SEA)
- Texas Rangers (TEX)
National League East (NLE):
- Atlanta Braves (ATL)
- Miami Marlins (MIA)
- New York Mets (NYM)
- Philadelphia Phillies (PHI)
- Washington Nationals (WSH)
National League Central (NLC):
- Chicago Cubs (CHC)
- Cincinnati Reds (CIN)
- Milwaukee Brewers (MIL)
- Pittsburgh Pirates (PIT)
- St. Louis Cardinals (STL)
National League West (NLW):
- Arizona Diamondbacks (AZ)
- Colorado Rockies (COL)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (LAD)
- San Diego Padres (SD)
- San Francisco Giants (SF)
In recent years, the Yankees have made a habit of landing top international talents. Jasson Domínguez, ranked as the Yankees’ No. 1 prospect and the No. 21 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, signed for $5.1 million in 2019. Roderick Arias, the Yankees’ No. 4 prospect, received $4 million in 2022, while Brando Mayea, ranked No. 13, got $4.35 million in 2023. Both Domínguez and Arias were the top prospects in their respective classes.
Despite the excitement around Cedeno, it’s important to keep in mind that international prospect development often takes time. Arias, a fellow shortstop, is still only 20 years old and just wrapped up his first season at Single-A this fall. With a clear gap in experience between Cedeno and Arias, Cedeno will likely have more time to develop and get plenty of reps at shortstop early in his professional career.
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.
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