This week we asked,
“What do expect out of Luis Severino when he returns?”
Our readers responded:
Matthew Cohen: I expect irregular control and a small number of innings. My guess is that he will need 4-5 starts to get right. I hope that he has enough time to become useful before the playoffs or this postseason may be a long takeoff on a short runway.
Patrick Gunn: If he is able to return, I expect Severino to come back a little shaky at first but be a solid multi-inning piece out of the bullpen. The key word being bullpen. With the minor league season wrapping up giving him few opportunities to have starts there, Severino will most likely not have enough time to be stretched out as a starting pitcher. However, I still think he can contribute in relief. His high strikeout rate (10.5 K/9 over the past two seasons) and fastball velocity (97.4 for his career) will play well in the postseason. I am skeptical whether or not he will be able to pitch in the postseason given his late rehab, but I do believe that Severino can be a major contributor either as an opener or in late relief.
Lincoln Mitchell: I do not expect Luis Severino to be an impact player in 2019.
Paul Semendinger: I am not convinced that Luis Severino, if he does come back, will be the great pitcher he was at the start of the 2018 season. Expecting Severino to be an ace type pitcher is asking a lot for a guy who has been hurt all year. On the other hand, I have the hope that his fresh arm plays well and he comes back with the desire (and ability) to dominate. Maybe he comes back with a chip on his shoulder and is lights out. I’d LOVE that! So, in short, my heart says that Severino will come back and throw 5 strong innings start after start, and continue that into the post season helping the Yankees to a World Championship. But my head says that it won’t happen.
Jacob Gaba: I’d expect a few tougher starts for Severino with only 2-3 innings with reduced fastball command during the early going. After a couple of starts, he will hopefully find his groove and gain back the confidence that he has shown in the previous year plus. Come October, the Yankees will be sporting the vintage Luis Severino, the pitcher who has posted at least a 4.8 WAR over the previous two seasons. What will be key for Severino is if he can pitch without tipping his slider like he did for the second half of last season.
Michael Saffer: When Severino returns I expect him to work off some of the rust in some “opener” rolls and low pitch count starts. He will probably has to fine tune the location of his secondary pitches and location of the fastball. During rehab he can get away with missing spots in a way that will be costly at the major league level.
Overall, I believe he will be ready for the Division Series. I see him as a number 4 starter in the post season behind German, Paxton, and Tanaka.
Sean Oldread: I don’t know what to expect out of Luis Severino. I’m assuming he will struggle with his pitch count and lack complete control over all of his pitches. I think the Yankees should give Severino 2 or 3 starts in September but if he is lackluster, I like the idea of moving him to the bullpen. He could serve as a stronger opener than Nestor Cortes Jr. or Chad Green if they choose to go that route. Or could pitch long relief in case a starter struggles. A Yankees pen filled with Luis Severino, Tommy Kahnle, Zack Britton, Adam Ottavino, a healthy Dellin Betances, and Aroldis Chapman is a scary thing for opposing batters.
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