For the third time in five years, the Yankees have signed a top international shortstop.
The club signed 16-year-old Manny Cedeño to a $2.5 million contract Friday, officials confirmed, adding one of this year's top international prospects to the farm system.
Cedeño, a native of the Dominican Republic, is ranked the No. 11 international prospect by MLB.com and No. 15 by Baseball America.
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One of the youngest members of the international sign language player class, the right-handed hitter has attracted attention for his bat speed and sharp fielding combined with his speed on the bases.
The Yankees, who had a $6,261,600 bonus pool to sign players this year, acquired Dominican left-handed hitting outfielder Ruben Castillo (Baseball America's No. 27 prospect in this year's class), among others.
Cedeño joins the Yankees' top international contract players from the past five classes: outfielder Francisco Vilorio ($1.75 million), outfielder Brando Maea ($4.35 million), shortstop Roderick Arias ($4 million), shortstop Hans – Joined Montero ($1.6 million).
