ProfileHt.: 5'11" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: L / Throws: L
Debut09/06/2011
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
The Expos had a virtually nonexistent international budget when Major League Baseball owned the franchise prior to its move to Washington, and Severino--signed for $6,000 in February 2004--might go down as their most significant international acquisition during that period. After making his pro debut that summer, Severino had Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for all of 2005, and he spent the next two years dominating the Dominican Summer League. He has moved fairly quickly since arriving in the United States in 2007, climbing to Double-A in 2009, then following up with a strong winter with Licey in the Dominican League. Severino is undersized but makes up for it with his fearlessness and quick arm. He attacks the strike zone with an 89-93 mph fastball that touches 94, and he pitches inside very well with both his four-seamer and his two-seamer. His 76-82 mph breaking ball has 11-to-5 action and is still a work in progress. Sometimes it's an average pitch with sharp break, but at other times he gets around it and it's sweepy. He seldom throws his breaking ball to righthanders but does mix in a workable changeup. Severino is generally sound mechanically, though he flies open on occasion. He garners comparisons to J.C. Romero for his size, delivery and stuff, and his future is likely as a lefty specialist in the Romero mold. He could push his way to the majors at some point in 2010.
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