Scouting Report

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

Preparing for the possibility that Roki Sasaki might sign at the end of the 2024 international period, New York stockpiled bonus pool money and acquired some more from the Red Sox in the Carlos Narvaez trade that November. When Sasaki opted to wait, the Yankees spent $1.65 million on Dec. 17 to sign Marinez, who had planned to turn pro in 2025. He batted .275/.424/.375 and looked good at shortstop in his pro debut in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. 

A left-handed hitter, Marinez has a sound stroke and patient approach. He drew 41 walks in 47 DSL games but also can get too passive and fall behind in counts more than he should. He needs to add significant strength so he can turn on more pitches and hit them harder, but New York believes he can grow into at least 15-homer power with more muscle and some adjustments to his swing path. 

Marinez features plus speed and likes to turn it loose on the bases, stealing 22 bases in 28 attempts (79 percent) in the DSL. His quickness helps him cover ground to both sides and he has the solid to plus arm strength to finish plays. Like most teenage infielders, he needs more defensive consistency, which should come with experience. 

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

In case Roki Sasaki decided to come to the United States at the end of the 2024 international signing period, the Yankees held onto some bonus pool money and even acquired some extra cash from the Red Sox in the December Carlos Narvaez trade. When Sasaki decided to wait until this year, New York used the $1.65 million it had saved to sign Marinez, who had planned to wait to turn pro in 2025, six days after the Narvaez deal. He has similar tools to fellow Dominican shortstop Mani Cedeno, the Yankees' top international signee in this year's class.

Though he'll need to add significant strength before he makes much impact at the plate, Marinez has an efficient left-handed swing and a patient approach. He rarely turns on pitches and most of his contact goes to the opposite field, but club officials believe he should grow into at least 15-homer power. He has outperformed Cedeno, who signed for $2.5 million, in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League this summer.

Marinez features plus speed and has shown basestealing aptitude in his pro debut. His quickness allows him to cover ground at shortstop and his solid to plus arm strength also helps him make plays. Like most young infielders, he needs more defensive consistency.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	05/31/2025	SS Stiven Marinez assigned to DSL NYY Bombers from DSL NYY Yankees.
	12/18/2024	SS Stiven Marinez assigned to DSL NYY Yankees.
	12/17/2024	New York Yankees signed free agent SS Stiven Marinez to a minor league contract.