New York Yankees Gem Luis Severino Shows Maturity in Second Career Start

Luis Severino (TONY DEJAK/AP)

When the Yankees passed up on rotation aces David Price, Cole Hamels and Johnny Cueto it wasn’t because they didn’t want them, but because the Yankees had a gem of their own they weren’t willing to give up.

Luis Severino has only made two career major league starts, but the 21-year old might be better than expected.

On Tuesday night, Severino not only pitched six solid innings, but made big pitches when he needed to keep the Yankees in the game. Severino was hit hard early on giving up two runs in the first two innings, including a 26 pitch first inning.

Many young pitchers would have unraveled in that situation, on the road in a tough spot but Severino kept his cool and showed the Yankees that he can pitch in the big leagues. Severino retired 12 of the last 14 batters he faced and finished with six innings pitched allowing two runs, seven hits and two strikeouts. Severino threw 97 pitches on the night 57 of them for strikes.

Most impressive was Severino maintaining his velocity into the sixth when the fastball was clocked at 95-to-96 mph consistently.

In 11 innings pitched in the majors, Severino has given up four runs, three earned and he has given up nine hits.

The Yankees may have lost to the Cleveland Indians 5-4 in 16 innings on Tuesday, but Severino gave them another quality start and something for Yankees fans to believe in every fifth day.