Pedro Severino

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #14 prospect in 2018
  Severino continued to live up to his reputation as an excellent defensive catcher in 2017, spending most of his time with Triple-A Syracuse, where he threw out 31 percent of basestealers. Severino has plus arm strength and a quick release from behind the dish, as well as athleticism that allows him to block balls efficiently. He's a solid receiver behind the plate, with a chance to get better in that area with more time and focus on his framing ability. What continues to limit Severino's future potential is the offensive side of the game. He regularly gets into trouble by attempting to pull the ball, which was evident in a 2017 cup of coffee with the Nationals, where he was overmatched and struck out 32 percent of the time. Severino does have some strength but currently lacks the ability to get to it much in-game thanks to approach and hitting ability questions. Until Severino makes an adjustment with his bat, he profiles as a defensive-oriented backup catcher.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #9 prospect in 2017
  Severino has built a reputation as an excellent defensive catcher, and his glove has carried him through the minor leagues. He made a his major league debut in September 2015 and returned in 2016, taking over as the Nationals' everyday catcher down the stretch and in the postseason when Wilson Ramos was injured. Severino stands out for his catch-and-throw ability, leaving no doubt he has the skills necessary to catch in the big leagues. He has plus arm strength and has thrown out 35 percent of basestealers in his pro career. He is a good athlete and game-caller, he blocks balls in the dirt well and he quickly developed a rapport with the big league pitching staff. He receives well thanks to his soft hands and has excellent footwork. Though Severino held his own in the big leagues, his bat has long lagged behind his glove. He is best offensively when his swing is short and compact and he works the middle of the field. But he has hit just .251 in four years of full-season ball and has below-average power. Ramos' season-ending injury as he headed for free agency left the Nationals in an uncertain position behind the plate. They traded for Derek Norris in early December, and Severino could work with the veteran behind the plate as a superior defensive option.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #11 prospect in 2016
  Severino has built a reputation as an excellent defensive catcher and it was his glove that earned him a September callup in 2015. He appeared in just two games with the Nationals, but doubled in his first career at-bat. Severino's plus arm strength and athleticism behind the plate leave no doubt he has the skills necessary to catch in the big leagues. He blocks balls in the dirt well, already shows an aptitude for calling games and works well with pitchers. He receives well thanks to his soft hands and has excellent footwork. Severino hasn't taken the next step with his bat, but his defense is good enough that he won't have to hit a ton to be a valuable contributor. He has some power to his pull side, and his easy swing gives him a chance to eventually hit for more average, though he has hit .245 in three years of full-season ball. He is learning how to stay within himself at the plate and isn't a free-swinger. Severino's advanced defensive ability will allow the Nationals to be patient to let his offense develop. He probably will begin his age-22 season at Triple-A Syracuse and be in a position to provide depth at the big league level in 2016, if necessary.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #13 prospect in 2015
  Severino struggled offensively for two and a half years, but his defensive prowess helped him move up the ladder. His bat started to come around in the second half of last season, when he .308/.379/.477 thanks to improved control of his lower half. He worked to improve his base and balance, allowing his quick hands to work and keeping his bat in the zone longer. He still hits fastballs better than breaking balls, but he has a chance to become a serviceable hitter with fringy power. Severino doesn't need to hit a ton to have value, because his defensive skills are elite. His accurate, double-plus arm sometimes produces sub-1.8-second pop times, and his transfer is smooth. A fringe-average runner, he is an excellent athlete who has lateral mobility and quickness, making him a standout blocker. He is also a good receiver with soft hands and advanced game-calling skills. Severino's defense figures to get him to the majors, and his bat will determine whether he's a quality backup or a regular. Some think he may have turned the corner at the plate, and he'll get a true test at Double-A Harrisburg in 2015.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #16 prospect in 2014
  As a pull-happy hitter with a big leg kick, Severino struggled offensively for two years in the GCL, but he still put himself on the prospect radar because of his defensive prowess. The Nationals worked with him to simplify his hitting mechanics and get him to use the middle of the field more often, and they challenged him with an assignment to low Class A Hagerstown in 2013. Severino's calling card is his well-above-average arm, which is deadly accurate and helped him throw out 40 percent of basestealers in 2013. His hands are strong and soft, making him a good receiver who blocks well, and his quick feet help him get out in front of the plate to field bunts adeptly. To wit, he led all minor league catchers with 71 non-caught stealing assists in 82 games last year. He projects as an above-average defender, and the Nationals rave about his ability to call games and handle pitchers, thanks in part to his magnetic personality and good ear for the English language. He's a good athlete who even flashes average running times. At the plate, Severino became more consistent with his approach in the second half of the season, and the Nats think he has a chance to hit enough down the road to become an everyday big leaguer. Scouts aren't yet convinced, saying that he often looks overmatched at the plate. But even his skeptics are intrigued by his batting practice displays, suggesting he could grow into occasional pop. He could return to Hagerstown in 2014, though the Nats might push him again to high Class A Potomac.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Carolina League #18 prospect in 2014
  No one doubts that Severino has the present defensive chops to play in the major leagues. The question is his bat, but he made strides in that area again this season. He impressed scouts and his manager with his ability to hit with enhanced power, even to right-center field. "He handles a pitching staff really well," said Potomac manager Tripp Keister, who also managed Severino at low Class A Hagerstown in 2013. "He's as good defensively as we've got. He really came on in the second half. "He's so good catching, throwing and blocking balls that we sometimes take that for granted. He also remembers what hitters have done from way back early in the season." Severino likely never will be much more than a fringe big league hitter, but with his defensive ability and makeup, he will serve as a backup catcher for a long time.

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Severino has built a reputation as an excellent defensive catcher, and his glove has carried him through the minor leagues. He made a his major league debut in 2015 during a brief September callup and returned in 2016, taking over as the Nationals' everyday catcher down the stretch and in the postseason when Wilson Ramos tore the ACL in his knee. Scouting Report: Severino stands out for his catch-and-throw ability, leaving no doubt he has the skills necessary to catch in the big leagues. He has plus arm strength and has thrown out 35 percent of basestealers in his pro career. He is a good athlete and game-caller, he blocks balls in the dirt well and he quickly developed a rapport with the big league pitching staff. He receives well thanks to his soft hands and has excellent footwork. Though Severino held his own in the big leagues, his bat has long lagged behind his glove. He is best offensively when his swing is short and compact and he works the middle of the field. But he has hit just .251 in four years of full-season ball and has below-average power.
  
  The Future: Ramos' season-ending injury as he headed for free agency left the Nationals in an uncertain position behind the plate. They traded for Derek Norris in early December, and Severino could work in tandem with the veteran behind the plate as a superior defensive option.