What to think of Luis Severino?

After three starts, I’d like to take a look at Luis Severino. The Yankee prospect was called up early August and debuted with the Yankees on August 5.
Through the years the Yankees had several prospects that were hyped in the media and who did not live up the expectations: Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain to name just two.

I realize that three starts is rather soon to tell but what Severino has shown so far is very impressive.

In his debut on August 5 vs the Red Sox, he needed 94 pitches to get through five innings. Perhaps rather much but he kept the Yankees in the game vs a knuckleballer with whom the Yankees had a hard time.
Perhaps Severino made one mistake in that game: A fastball through the heart of the strike zone served up to Big Papi and which ended up in the right field bleachers.

In his second game Severino lasted six innings and needed 97 pitches to get through them. He gave up two runs on seven hits but kept his team in the game once again with the help of the Yankees defense.

And then yesterday’s game. In fact Luis made two mistakes. The first was the pitch that was hit towards Carlos Beltran, who didn’t shade his eyes good enough and failed to catch the ball. And the pitch that was hit into the stands by Jose Bautista. For the rest of the game he pitched a gem. And how many pitchers would have given up after the missed catch of Carlos Beltran? I think when this would have happened to Michael Pineda, that he would have freaked out and would have lost control of the game. Severino kept his cool and continued in a great fashion. Can you imagine? Nine Ks and still getting the loss?

According to YES announcer David Cone, Severino has so much control, that when he is going “wild” the pitches are still near the strike zone. But hey, the kid is still young. He still has to learn a lot.

The kid masters a fastball that tops 98 mph, a sharp slider and a change up that still has a velocity of 83-85 mph. If he can only master one more pitch, he may become a formidable weapon for the Yankees; an ace like pitcher for sure.

Despite the result of the game, I have enjoyed watching this kid throw yesterday. I can understand why Cashman kept him out of the negotiations for Price and other pitchers.

In my humble opinion Severino is a diamond in the rough that still needs to be polished a bit. He may be erratic at times and thanks to his great control, those pitches may end up in or near the strike zone, but he will learn how to deal with this. And he is still a human being; every pitcher makes mistakes. Even the best ones.

If I was Cashman, I would sign him to a similar deal that Even Longoria once signed with the Tampa Bay Rays. In that way the Yankees can enjoy him for quite some time against a cheap amount.