New York Yankees: International Free Agent class includes Luis Severino’s brother
By Jason Evans
The New York Yankees international free agent class includes the brother of pitcher Luis Severino.
It’s the NBA and NHL free agent season, but yesterday marked the beginning of the new international free agent signing period in major league baseball. Teams have a certain amount of pool money to sign players who are 17 or who will turn 17 by the end of their first year of their pro contract. Players from the Carribean, Asia, Europe, Central America and South America, who are not eligible for the amateur draft can sign from July 2 until June 15 the next year. The New York Yankees have been historically one of the most aggressive teams in this market.
Players like Gary Sanchez and Luis Severino, who the New York Yankees signed during this period and developed are integral parts of the club. The Yankees were aggressive this signing period, adding four of MLBpipeline’s top 30 prospects including three of the top 11.
They also added pitcher Rafael Severino, yes, the brother of Luis.
"“I told him the news. I was excited,” Severino said at Yankee Stadium. “Every time somebody in your family has the opportunity to play professional baseball, it’s really important in the Dominican.”Severino said Rafael has been working out at the International Prospect League academy in Santo Domingo, and that he throws 88-89 mph with a slider, changeup and sinker. Severino said the repertoire is more advanced than what he had at the same age.“When I was 19, I was in the Gulf Coast League here [with the Yankees],” Severino said. “I had a fastball and slider. That was it. I didn’t throw my changeup. He has all those pitches that he can throw whenever he wants. I think he’s going to be really good.”"
The New York Yankees philosophy has been developing right-handed power arms. You can see it in their minor league system and you can see it on their major league roster. I’m sure the club envisions having a Severino led rotation in the years to come like the Los Angeles Dodgers did with Pedro Martinez and Ramon Martinez.
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It’s a great day for the Severino family, and the New York Yankees are hoping they have another ace on their hands.