Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, has been affectionately dubbed “The Cradle of Shortstops” for its propensity for producing infielders gifted with the glove who also have a knack for hammering the baseball. Cedeno is the top-ranked player from the city in his international class, sporting a tool package across the board that excites evaluators with its consistency. The second-youngest member to make the 2025 Top 50 list, Cedeno, who trains with Daniel Brito at the Paulino Baseball Academy -- a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program, will be 16 for most of his first pro season.

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.

A certain level of hype comes with being a shortstop from San Pedro de Macorís, a spot Cedeno holds down with consistency due to his supremely smooth actions up the middle. He’s got a solid throwing arm that he sacrifices a bit of zip on in order for it to be consistently accurate. Scouts well versed in what helps players stick at the six 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. It’ll be on him to maximize those assets moving forward.

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40 

One of the younger players and considered one of the most advanced hitters on the 2025 international market, Cedeno received the largest bonus in the Yankees' class. After signing for $2.5 million out of the Dominican Republic, he endured a rough pro debut in the Dominican Summer League. He batted .183/.371/.305 and led the Rookie circuit with 76 strikeouts in 47 games. 

For someone who struck out 37 percent of the time in his first taste of pro ball, Cedeno has a surprisingly compact right-handed swing and relatively good bat-to-ball skills. His problems last summer stemmed from an overly passive approach that put him behind in too many counts and an extremely pull-happy mentality that leaves him vulnerable to pitches on the outer half. He has the bat speed and projectable strength to reach 15-20 homers per season provided he can overhaul his approach. 

Cedeno has plus speed and knows how to use it, swiping 21 bases in 23 tries (91 percent) last summer. He has fast hands and solid arm strength at shortstop, though his quickness translates into just average range. It's possible that he'll fit better at second base in the long, which would put more pressure on his bat.  

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic may have produced more All-Star infielders per capita than any other city, including Robinson Canó, Tony Fernandez, Pedro Guerrero, Alfonso Soriano and Fernando Tatis Jr. Cedeno has the tools to follow in that tradition after signing for $2.5 million in January. One of the youngest prospects and most advanced hitters in the 2025 international class, he'll play most of the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League schedule at age 16.

Cedeno has a compact right-handed stroke and is balanced at the plate, but he has struggled to make contact during his pro debut in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League because he has gotten way too pull-happy. He has shown a willingness to draw walks but also has gotten too passive at times. He has the bat speed and projectable strength to provide 15-20 homers on an annual basis if he refines his approach.

Cedeno's infield actions are as smooth as his swing. His speed, shortstop range and arm strength all grade as solid and could get better as he physically develops. He uses his feet well at short and makes accurate throws.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	02/28/2025	SS Mani Cedeno assigned to DSL NYY Yankees.
	01/24/2025	New York Yankees signed free agent SS Mani Cedeno to a minor league contract.