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New York Yankees: Lots of pressure on Luis Severino

By Nick Ziegler

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Wednesday will be a big day for the New York Yankees, as top pitching prospect Luis Severino will be making his debut against the Boston Red Sox.

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Severino has been known by Yankees fans for the past two years or so as the top pitching prospect, but now has become well-known around the league since the trade deadline. The Yankees were rumored to be interested in Cole Hamels, David Price, and Johnny Cueto. All three of these pitchers are aces, and in order to get an ace, you have to give up something good.

In most of the trade rumors, it was Severino’s name who was coming up as a player one of the teams wanted in return.

Being a top prospect usually comes with pressure, but in New York, that pressure is always intensified. Many fans were expecting the Yankees to trade for an ace, but when the trade deadline came and went, no deal was done.

Brian Cashman and the Yankees stayed true to their word that they wouldn’t be trading any of their top prospects. Now, added pressure will be on them to perform at the major league level.

“I don’t think he will get intimidated, it’s just a matter of location pitches and sometimes that takes time,’’ pitching coach Larry Rothschild said of Severino to George A. King III of the New York Post.

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This season, Severino has pitched at both Double-A and Triple-A. He has totaled a 9-2 record, 2.45 ERA, and 98 strikeouts in 99.1 innings. In Triple-A, Severino has really pitched well, as he has totaled a 7-0 record with a 1.91 ERA.

The recent loss of Michael Pineda was a big one for the Yankees, and they hope that Severino will help stabilize the rotation.

“I am excited to see Severino, there has been a lot of talk about him,’’ Girardi said to King. “I don’t want to put too much pressure on. I am not going to make too much of one start, two starts or three starts. I know the kid is talented and at some point he is really going to help us. I think we are all interested to see how he manages it. He rose through the ranks pretty quickly, he is fairly young so people are pretty excited.’’

The Yankees have seen first-hand what young pitchers can do for a team, as the New York Mets have used their young arms to spark the team. Noah Syndergaard has been fantastic for the Mets since being called-up this season, and the Yankees will hope Severino can do the same.

Severino was labeled as untouchable at the trade deadline, and he will now have a lot of pressure on his shoulders trying to help the Yankees in a pennant race.

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