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New York Yankees: Luis Severino proving that he belongs

By Nick Ziegler

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The fourth time was the charm for star prospect Luis Severino of the New York Yankees, as he was able to earn his first major league win against the Cleveland Indians.

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It was a big day in the history of the Yankees on Saturday afternoon, as Jorge Posada had his number retired. With a member of the ‘Core Four’ being honored, a member of the Yankees’ new ‘Core Four’ was able to have himself a memorable day.

The first career victory didn’t start out well for Severino, as he allowed a solo-homerun to Francisco Lindor in the first inning. Unlike some young pitchers, Severino shook off the early homerun and was able to string together an impressive stretch of pitching. In his four starts, Severino has shown veteran-like composure, and that will come in handy for the Yankees in the push for the playoffs.

“He gives up that homer in the first and then he gets himself out of a number of jams by making some big pitches,” Girardi said to Ryan Hatch of NJ.com. “He did a good job. And this is a club that had seen him before and was familiar with him, and he got through it”.

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The first career win is a huge deal for any pitcher, and it has seemingly given Severino even more confidence.

“For the first time, I feel like I belong here,” Severino said to Hatch. “I’m working hard and I the job I’m doing. I feel I can pitch at this level.”

Severino ran into some problems in the sixth inning, as with his pitch-count near 100 pitches, he walked two straight batters. Instead of going to the bullpen, Joe Girardi stuck with the young right-hander, and he was able to retire Roberto Perez to end the inning.

“I think it could give him confidence that he could continue to make good pitches and get people out, even in tough situations,” Girardi said to Hatch. “The more tough situations he goes through and he has success, the tested he is.”

Girardi is a former catcher, and utilized the scenario to help Severino grow as big league pitcher.

With a lot of legends in the dugout, Severino also got some good luck from the great players.

“They said ‘good luck’ and said ‘I hope you win your first game’,” Severino said to Hatch.

Severino was one of the Yankees’ prospects that was labeled untouchable by Brian Cashman. Severino would have been able to land the Yankees a great player at the trade deadline, but instead he is helping the Yankees win games.

The future looks bright for Severino, as he has proven he belongs in the majors.

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