The Rookie League Players To Watch In 2026
- Carlos Peña
- May 2
- 7 min read
The 2026 season marks a pivotal chapter for the Yankees' international pipeline, as the gates of the Dominican Summer League and the Florida Complex League gates swing open to reveal a wave of talent ready to reach for the the next level which the Yankees farm system needs to replentish the lower levels. The Florida Complex League begins play on Saturday May 2, and the Dominican Summer League kicks off on June 1st.
Here are the Rookie League players that Yankee fans should be keeping an eye on.
Kevin Centeno - LHP
4.59 ERA - 1.44 WHIP | 33.1 IP - 25 H, 23 BB, 53 K | 14.2 K/9 - 34.6 K% | 54.8 GB% | .207 AVG
I'll begin the list with Kevin Centeno. To understand Centeno’s potential in 2026, you have to look at the struggle he underwent during the first month which had him drowning to a 9 ERA, but he made adjustments and improving every month, and by the second half he had become a very different pitcher. Centeno found a rhythm that had him in command. Over his final 16 Innings he pitched to a 2.25 ERA with 6 walks and 20 strikeouts.
After starting the season with a 9 ERA, he'd go on to finish the campaign with a 4.59 ERA that masked his true potential. By the time the season came to a close in August, the 53 strikeouts he racked up over 33.1 innings were a statement, punctuated by an elite 14.3 K/9 rate. As he gets ready to begin his sophmore campaign the question isn't whether his stuff plays, but how quickly his newfound command and sequencing will attack opposing lineups.
Alexander Almonte - RHP
3.29 ERA - 1.29 WHIP | 52 IP - 46 H, 21 BB, 48 K | 8.3 K/9 - 21 K% | 54.4 GB% | .227 AVG
While Centeno provided the lightning, Alexander Almonte was the steady thunder. Pacing the DSL Bombers with a veteran’s poise, Almonte proved to be the staff’s ultimate stabilizer. The 19 year old tossed 52 innings pitching to a 3.29 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP and 48 strikeouts.
His ability to navigate deep into ballgames suggests a high-floor starter who could move aggressively toward Tampa if his velocity sees its projected jump this spring. Already reaching 97 MPH on the fastball, Almonte is still learning to pitch and in Tampa he add a few more ticks and take a good step forward.
Richard Matic - 3B
.336/.487 - 1.053 OPS | 20 XBH - 5 HR, 30 RBI | 20.9 BB% - 22.5 K% | 167 wRC+
Richard Matic emerged as a premier offensive engine in the Dominican Summer League last season, orchestrating a massive breakout that has significantly raised his prospect profile. Matic transformed from a .196 hitter in his debut into a legitimate offensive force, slashing .336/.487/.566 to post a massive 1.053 OPS. His ability to marry 60-grade raw power with an elite approach resulted in 20 extra-base hits, including 5 home runs, while his patient eye fueled a robust 122 wRC+. Standing 6'1" and 200 lbs, Matic utilized his physical strength to consistently drive the ball with authority, proving that his offensive ceiling is among the highest in the lower levels of the system.
Heading into 2026, the expectation is for Matic to carry this momentum into his highly anticipated stateside debut with the FCL Yankees. As he transitions to domestic ball, the focus will be on how his sophisticated strike-zone awareness and high-level on-base skills adapt to more polished pitching. Beyond his bat, scouts will be monitoring his defensive growth at third base, where his 55-grade arm strength provides a solid foundation for the hot corner. If he continues to refine his contact consistency while tapping into the elite exit velocity he showed in the DSL, Matic is poised to become a focal point of the organization’s next wave of power-hitting infielders.
Juan Torres - 2B
.359/.406 - .922 OPS | 15 XBH - 4 HR, 43 RBI | 3.5 BB% - 11.8 K% | 12 SB | 130 wRC+
Torres delivered a standout performance in his rookie campaign, emerging as a high-impact talent within the 2025-26 International Free Agent class. Anchoring his debut with a system-leading .359 batting average and a robust .922 OPS, Torres demonstrated an advanced feel for the barrel that translated into 15 extra-base hits, 4 home runs, and 43 RBI during his time in the Dominican Summer League. His statistical profile is further bolstered by an elite 11.8% strikeout rate and a 130 wRC+, showcasing a sophisticated approach that prioritizes contact without sacrificing run-producing power.
Stiven Mariñez - SS
.275/.424 - .799 OPS | 11 XBH - 1 HR, 17 RBI | 22 SB | 20 BB% - 22.4 K% | 115 wRC+
Mariñez put together a very productive debut season, defined by a sophisticated approach and dynamic presence on the basepaths. Putting together a solid .275/.424/.375 slash line. Mariñez was an on-base machine, with an elite 20% Walk Rate that resulted in a nearly 1:1 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Beyond his plate discipline, he utilized his speed to terrorize opposing catchers, swiping 22 bases and consistently putting himself in scoring position. With a 115 wRC+ and 11 extra-base hits under his belt. Mariñez proved he can impact the game in multiple facets and should definitely be on Yankee fans radar for the coming season.
Queni Pineda - C
.270/.459 - .840 OPS | 5 XBH - 1 HR, 9 RBI | 22.4 BB% - 14.1 K% | 129 wRC+
Queni Pineda was arguably the MVP of the 2024 IFA class, setting a high bar with a debut season where he led the DSL Yankees in both home runs and walks. In 2024 he slashed .254/.434/.438 with 5 home runs and a elite level 23.7% Walk Rate,142 wRC+ that cemented his reputation as an elite offensive backstop. While an injury sidelined him for the majority of the 2025 campaign, limiting him to just 20 games, he showed some signs of maturation in that brief window, raising his batting average to .270 and pushing his OBP to an impressive .459.
Justin Capellan - C
.255/.382 - .825 OPS | 16 XBH - 6 HR, 37 RBI | 16 SB | 14 BB% - 18.3 K% | 111 wRC+
Justin Capellan took a significant step forward this past season, showing good progression in his approach and a notable surge in his power numbers. After debuting with a solid 104 wRC+, Capellan elevated his game across the board, slashing .255/.382 with an .825 OPS. The most striking development was his increased slugging; he jumped from a single home run in his first year to 6 home runs and 16 extra-base hits, driving in 37 runs along the way. His plate discipline also saw a sharp refinement, as he increased his walk rate to 14% while cutting his strikeout rate down to 18.3%, proving he can pair improved power with a more controlled at-bat.
Carlos Rondon - C
.281/.453 - .938 OPS | 7 XBH - 3 HR, 20 RBI | 20.9 BB% - 34.9 K% | 142 wRC+
Carlos Rondon delivered a standout 2025 campaign in the Dominican Summer League, quietly putting together a very productive season.
Rondon proved to not just be a defensive catcher by slashing .293/.392/.463 across 27 games. He also put up a 124 wRC+ and .855 OPS, driven by a balanced approach that included 12 extra-base hits, including 3 home runs and 30 RBI. Lastly, his advanced plate discipline was on full display as he maintained a 11.4% walk rate, showcasing a maturity in his approach.
Francisco Vilorio - OF
.279/.387 - .753 OPS | 13 XBH - 0 HR, 19 RBI | 13.8 BB% - 24.9 K% | 100 wRC+
Francisco Vilorio delivered a breakout second professional season, underscored by a massive jump in offensive production and a newfound maturity at the plate. After struggling with a sub-.200 average in his debut, Vilorio surged to a .279/.387/.366 slash line, nearly doubling his hit and walk totals in the process. While he has yet to record his first professional home run, his 13 extra-base hits and 100 wRC+ signal an evolving gap-to-gap approach. The most tantalizing aspect of his profile remains his elite physical tools; scouts clocked his raw exit velocity at a staggering 115.3 mph last season—one of the hardest-hit balls recorded across the entire organization—suggesting that massive over-the-fence power is looming just under the surface.
The defining story of Vilorio's development, however, was his drastically improved plate discipline. He successfully slashed his strikeout rate from 32.9% down to 24.9% while simultaneously boosting his walk rate to a robust 13.8%. As he moves stateside in 2026, the focus will be on turning that raw power into in game power.
(FYI: The Yankees put Vilorio on the IL, less than 12 hours from opening day.)
Sabier Marte - RHP
2025 - DNP
Sabier Marte’s 2024 campaign provided plenty of reason for optimism, as he emerged as a dominant force in the FCL Yankees rotation. Over 49.0 innings, Marte pitched to a sterling 2.76 ERA and a perfect 4-0 record, showcasing a polished 6'5" frame and a projectable arsenal. His efficiency was the hallmark of his season, evidenced by a 1.102 WHIPand a sharp 44:10 strikeout-to-walk ratio. By surrendering just 1.8 walks per nine innings, Marte proved he possessed the rare command necessary to dismantle domestic hitters, leaving many to believe he was on the verge of a major breakout in 2025.
Unfortunately, that momentum was halted when Marte lost the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery. While the injury was a setback, his track record of high-level pitchability have kept expectations high for his recovery. Now fully healthy and heading into 2026, Marte is slated to reclaim his spot as the opening day starter for the FCL Yankees.
Mani Cedeño - SS
Mani Cedeño entered the 2025 international signing period with massive expectations as a Top 15 overall IFA prospectand the centerpiece of the Yankees' class. At just 16 years old—playing a full season against much older competition—Cedeño flashed the elite athleticism and raw tools that commanded his $2.5 million signing bonus. While his .183 batting average reflects the typical learning curve for a teenager in the DSL, his peripheral numbers tell a more promising story. Cedeño showcased an advanced eye by drawing 43 walks, helping him maintain a robust .371 OBPdespite the low average. His plus speed was his loudest tool, as he terrorized opposing catchers by swiping 21 bases in just 49 games.
Heading into 2026, the focus for Cedeño is on physical development and contact consistency. Much like the breakout we saw from Richard Matic, Cedeño possesses the 60-grade speed and above-average arm strength to be a dynamic force on both sides of the ball if his hit tool matures. As he likely transitions toward a stateside debut, the expectation is for his elite plate discipline to eventually lead to more authoritative contact. If he can bridge the gap between his high walk rate and his .676 OPS, Cedeño has the ceiling to reclaim his status as a premier top-of-the-order threat and one of the most exciting young shortstops in the organization.
The FCL season begins on May 2nd, and the DSL begins June 1st.
Every Prospect. Every Level. Every Day.
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