It’s not a secret that the New York Yankees need help in the rotation.
Aside from Masahiro Tanaka, the Yankees don’t have a reliable arm to slot at the top of the rotation. C.C. Sabathia and Michael Pineda have several years of experience, but they have been inconsistent at times. However, help is on the way for New York. And it comes in the form of Luis Severino.
Severino was one of the top prospects in the organization ahead of the 2015 season. However, his numbers weren’t good, and there were doubts whether he would ever be able to translate his success in the minors to the Majors. During his rookie year he did a decent job considering he got a call up due to Pineda’s injury. He posted a 5-3 mark and a 2.89 ERA in 11 starts. But the wheels fell off in 2016, and he spent most of the season either in the bullpen or in the minors.
Many people within the organization were skeptical about Serevino’s performance heading into 2017. However, he looks like a whole new player in 2017, and what we’ve seen so far indicates he’s ready to take over as one of the top arms in New York’s rotation.
Entering the action on May 25th, Severino has a 3-2 mark with a 3.11 ERA in nine starts. That’s a massive upgrade compared to last season, where he posted a 3-8 record with a 5.83 ERA in 22 appearances, but only 11 starts. He’s certainly on the right track, and it doesn’t seem he’s going to slow down any time soon.
The 23-year-old Dominican is only three starts away from reaching a career-best in the majors. All signs indicate this will be his best season, and Wednesday’s performance against the Kansas City Royals was the best example. Even though KC is not the team it was a few years ago, they are not an easy opponent. But Severino dominated them. He tossed eight shutout innings, allowing only four hits and a walk while fanning out seven.
To make things even better, this is the fifth time he’s gone at least seven frames this season. Aside from dominating their rivals, he’s also doing deep into games. The Yankees need that, because recent years have shown Tanaka is not enough to make the playoffs. They need a competent groups of arms to compete in the AL East against the likes of the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles.
Time will tell if Severino will become a star or not. But he is going through the best moment of his career in the Big Leagues. And all signs indicate he’s on the right path. Just in time when they needed him.