There was never a doubt that Danilo Gallinari Jersey the Yankees like everyone else in baseball wanted Roki Sasaki. And if the Japanese right-hander ended up in The Bronx, that would have been just fine with Donny Rowland, the Yankees director of international amateur scouting. But Rowland continued to keep his eyes on the players hed been scouting for years. , a 16-year-old shortstop, one of the youngest players in this years international cla s and who signed with the Yankees for a $2.5 million bonus this week. Had Sasaki, 23, made a different decision and gone with the , Cedeno and some of the other top Yankee signees likely would have ended up elsewhere, since Sasaki would have taken up most of their $6.2 million pool. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) during an introductory pre s conference at Dodger Stadium. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con Explore More Asked how he thought the proce s worked out, with Sasaki a Dodger and the Yankees instead adding to their minor league depth with Cedeno, as well as outfielders Ruben Castillo and Isaias Castillo at the top of the cla s, Rowland said, The only way to answer that is I want whats best for the Yankees. And if whats best for the Yankees would have been Sasaki, then obviously thats what I want. The fact of the matter is, it didnt turn out that way and we really liked this cla s. And the Yankees group is led by Cedeno, a 5-foot-10 shortstop from San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic. Rowland called Cedeno a potential five-tool player. While Cedeno could stay at shortstop, according to Rowland, his best tool is his bat. Mani Cedeno inked a deal with the Yankees. Instagram/@manny_cedeno14 He has a simple, efficient swing from the right side and he generates elite exit velocity for his age, Rowland said of Cedeno, among the youngest players of this cla s. Hes got big power to all fields. Of Ruben Castillo, Rowland said the center fielder is very athletic with above-average defense. He moves really easily, Rowland said. He has a chance to be a premium defensive center fielder. And his lefty swing is reminiscent of former Angels outfielder Garret Anderson, according to Rowland, although the 5-foot-9 Castillo lacks Andersons size. And Isaias Castillo is an outfielder that Rowland called some kind of exciting. He has a physical, explosive power and speed combo with the ability to play center field and run, Rowland said. Now, the Yankees wait just as they did when they made headlines when they signed Ja son Dominguez to a record $5.1 million bonus in 2019. Dominguez turns 22 in February and is expected to be in the Yankees outfield this season, alongside Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger. New York Yankees center fielder Ja son Dominguez throws in the outfield against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York on September 9, 2024. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST Were signing guys at 16, around seven years prior to when theyd be a college senior, Rowland said. So youre predicting and forecasting. Youre looking into a crystal ball. Its not easy to do and you hope you get it right more often than the other teams. And with Sasaki in Los Angeles, the spotlight will be on Cedeno and Co. as they progre s through the Yankees farm system. Much like Dominguez and other top signees in recent years like SS Roderick Arias, considered the organizations No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline and outfielder Brando Mayea, No. 13. I want whats best for the club, Rowland said. I always look at it as, Lets max out the talent as best we can and if that means we get Sasaki, that means we get Sasaki. If it means we get some of these other players we like, thats great. Clint Capela Jersey
