Luis Severino

Luis Severino Bio

Luis Severino, nicknamed “Sevy”, is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Athletics in Major League Baseball. He debuted with the New York Yankees in 2015 after signing as an international free agent in 2011. Severino distinguished himself as a top pitcher from 2017, earning All-Star selections in both 2017 and 2018. He has faced various injuries throughout his career, impacting his playing time and performance. Despite these challenges, Severino has solidified his status in Major League Baseball and continued to be a significant player for his teams.

Early Life and Background

Luis Severino was born on February 20, 1994, in Sabana de la Mar, Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic. He grew up as a devoted fan of the New York Yankees, with particular admiration for fellow Dominican Robinson Cano. Severino signed with the Yankees as an international free agent on December 26, 2011, agreeing on a $225,000 signing bonus. He had initially agreed to terms with the Colorado Rockies, but a Yankees scout matched their offer and persuaded Severino to join the organization he had rooted for since childhood. At the time of signing, he could already throw his fastball at 91 miles per hour.

Severino made his professional debut for the Dominican Summer League Yankees in 2011. He started 14 games that year, posting a 4-2 win-loss record with a 1.68 earned run average and 45 strikeouts in 64 and one-third innings. In 2013, he was promoted to the Charleston RiverDogs of the Single-A South Atlantic League, where his fastball velocity reached 97 miles per hour. Prior to the 2014 season, Baseball America ranked him as the Yankees ninth-best prospect. He continued climbing the minor league ladder, reaching the Trenton Thunder of the Double-A Eastern League by midseason 2014.

Path to Major League Baseball

Before the 2015 season, Severino had ascended to become the Yankees top prospect and was ranked 23rd among all minor league players by MLB Pipeline. He began the season with Trenton, where he had a 2-2 record with a 3.32 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 38 innings across eight starts. He was promoted to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple-A International League, where he worked with RailRiders pitching coach Scott Aldred to improve his pitching delivery. Severino dominated Triple-A, pitching to a 7-0 win-loss record and a 1.91 ERA in 11 starts through the end of July. With the Yankees in the postseason race, the front office made Severino unavailable in trade discussions for established pitchers David Price, Cole Hamels, and Johnny Cueto at the July trade deadline.

Luis Severino Career

New York Yankees Era (2015-2023)

Following a late-July injury to Michael Pineda and the Yankees not acquiring a starting pitcher before the trade deadline, general manager Brian Cashman announced that Severino would make his major league debut against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Yankees manager Joe Girardi scheduled the debut for August 5, 2015. Severino pitched five innings in his debut, allowing two hits, two runs with seven strikeouts and no walks. At age 21, he was the youngest pitcher to make a start in the 2015 MLB season. He became the first American League pitcher in MLB history to strike out seven hitters while walking none and allowing no more than two hits in their major league debut. He ended his rookie season having started 11 games, pitching 62 and one-third innings with a 5-3 record, 2.89 ERA, and 56 strikeouts.

Severino began the 2016 season in the Yankees starting rotation but struggled significantly. In 11 starts, he went 0-8 with an 8.50 ERA. However, in his 11 relief appearances, he went 3-0 with a 0.39 ERA. The stark contrast prompted a shift in his approach, and he returned in 2017 transformed into one of baseball best pitchers.

Breakthrough Seasons (2017-2018)

Following spring training, Severino was named the Yankees fourth starter. On April 13, 2017, he struck out a career-high 11 batters in seven innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was named to the American League All-Star team alongside teammates Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Starlin Castro, and Dellin Betances. Severino ended the season having thrown a career-high 193 and one-third innings in 31 starts, with a 14-6 record, 2.98 ERA, and 230 strikeouts. His 230 strikeouts tied with CC Sabathia for the third-most single-season strikeouts in Yankees history, and the most by a right-handed pitcher in the Modern Era. He led all major league pitchers with an average fastball velocity of 97.6 miles per hour. Severino finished third in the American League Cy Young Award voting, behind Corey Kluber and Chris Sale.

On March 17, 2018, Severino was named the Yankees Opening Day starter. On May 2 against the Houston Astros, he pitched his first career complete game, shutting out the Astros 4-0 while striking out 10. He earned his 10th win of the season on June 16, becoming the first Yankee pitcher to win 10 or more games prior to the All-Star break since Masahiro Tanaka in 2014. Owning a 14-2 record and a 2.12 ERA at the All-Star break, Severino earned his second consecutive All-Star selection. For the season, he was 19-8 with a 3.39 ERA. For the second consecutive year, he led all major league pitchers with an average fastball velocity of 97.6 miles per hour.

Injury Troubles (2019-2021)

On February 15, 2019, Severino signed a four-year, $40 million contract extension with the Yankees. However, his season was derailed by injuries. On March 15, he was diagnosed with rotator cuff inflammation, sidelining him for all of April. On April 9, he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 lat strain, ruling him out for an additional six weeks. He made only three starts total that season.

On February 25, 2020, Severino underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, along with the removal of a bone chip. The surgery ended his 2020 season entirely. On February 22, 2021, he was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continued his recovery. He suffered a groin injury during a rehab start in June 2021 and was sidelined until August. After two rehab starts, he suffered another setback. On September 20, 2021, he was activated off the injured list for the first time in 706 days.

Return and Transition (2022-2023)

With Brett Gardner not re-signing for the 2022 season, Severino became the longest-tenured Yankee. He was placed on the 60-day injured list with a low-grade right lat strain during the season. On October 4, 2022, during a game against the Texas Rangers, Severino pitched seven no-hit innings before manager Aaron Boone pulled him from the game with 94 pitches. The potential combined no-hitter was broken up in the eighth inning.

In 2023, Severino struggled with inconsistency across 19 games (18 starts), registering a 4-8 record and 6.65 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 89 and one-third innings. On September 9, manager Aaron Boone announced that Severino season was over after he suffered a high-grade oblique strain. He became a free agent following the season.

New York Mets (2024)

On December 1, 2023, Severino signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the New York Mets. He bounced back strongly with his new team. On August 17, 2024, Severino pitched his second career complete game in a 4-0 shutout win over the Miami Marlins. It was his first complete game shutout since 2018, and he became the first Mets pitcher to accomplish the feat since Jacob deGrom in 2021. Across 32 games for New York, Severino posted an 11-7 record, a 3.91 ERA, and 161 strikeouts in 182 innings pitched. He became a free agent after the season, declining the Mets qualifying offer.

Athletics Era (2025-Present)

On December 6, 2024, Severino signed a three-year, $67 million contract with the Athletics, the largest contract in team history. He made 29 starts for the Athletics during the 2025 campaign, compiling a 2-6 record and 4.16 ERA with 65 strikeouts across 62 and two-thirds innings pitched. On May 30, 2026, Severino was placed on the injured list due to a right shoulder strain. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 21, 2026.

Driving Style and Strengths

With a three-quarters delivery, Severino throws four pitches: a four-seam fastball averaging 98 miles per hour, a slider, a changeup, and a cutter that he added to his repertoire in 2022. His fastball was clocked at 101 miles per hour during the 2017 season. His average spin rate for sliders was ranked second in all of Major League Baseball behind only Garrett Richards in 2018. His combination of electric stuff and durability when healthy made him one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball during his peak years with the Yankees.

Notable Events and Milestones

Severino most impressive stretch came from 2017 to 2018, when he went 33-14 with a combined 3.18 ERA and 377 strikeouts across 350 and one-third innings. He became the first American League pitcher to qualify for the ERA title with a sub-3.00 ERA and 230 or more strikeouts in their age-23 season or younger since Roger Clemens in 1986. His 2018 first half, where he went 14-2 with a 2.31 ERA, made him the first Yankees pitcher to enter the All-Star break with 14 wins since Mel Stottlemyre in 1969. The seven-inning no-hit bid in 2022 represented one of the most dominant post-injury performances of his career.

Luis Severino Career Wins

Throughout his Major League Baseball career spanning multiple teams, Luis Severino has accumulated 75 wins against 61 losses with a 3.93 earned run average and 1,138 strikeouts through late May 2026. His win totals and strikeout numbers reflect both his elite talent and the significant time he has missed due to injuries throughout his career.

New York Yankees Highlights

Severino greatest success came during his time with the Yankees from 2015 to 2023. His peak seasons came in 2017 and 2018, when he combined to go 33-14 with a 3.18 ERA and 377 strikeouts. He earned his first career win on August 11, 2015, against the Texas Rangers. His most recent win with the Yankees came during the 2023 season before his season-ending oblique injury. The Yankees career saw him become a two-time All-Star and Cy Young Award finalist.

New York Mets Highlights

Severino posted an 11-7 record with a 3.91 ERA and 161 strikeouts in 182 innings across 32 starts with the Mets in 2024. His complete game shutout against the Marlins on August 17, 2024, stood out as his most dominant performance of the season. His 11 wins represented his highest single-season win total since going 19-8 with the Yankees in 2018.

Athletics and Career Totals

Through his career spanning the Yankees, Mets, and Athletics, Severino has accumulated 75 wins with 1,138 strikeouts and a 3.93 ERA. His most recent wins came during the 2025 season with Oakland, where he went 2-6 across 29 starts. The $67 million contract he signed with the Athletics in December 2024 represents the largest in franchise history, reflecting the team belief in his continued ability to contribute at the major league level.

Luis Severino Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Severino hails from Sabana de la Mar, a town in the Hato Mayor province of the Dominican Republic. He grew up a Yankees fan, inspired by watching fellow Dominican Robinson Cano play for the team. His Dominican heritage has remained central to his identity throughout his professional career.

Personal Life

Severino is married to Rosmaly. The couple has two children together. Their daughter was born in July 2015, coinciding with Severino rookie season with the Yankees. Their son, Luis Jr., was born on July 8, 2021. Severino maintains a public profile on social media, connecting with fans through his verified accounts.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked the beginning of a new chapter for Severino with the Athletics after signing the largest contract in franchise history. The three-year, $67 million deal signaled the team commitment to building around experienced talent. However, the transition proved challenging as Severino adjusted to a new clubhouse and pitching staff. He made 29 starts but struggled to find his rhythm, compiling a 2-6 record and 4.16 ERA with 65 strikeouts across 62 and two-thirds innings.

The injuries that have plagued Severino throughout his career continued into 2026. On May 30, 2026, he was placed on the injured list due to a right shoulder strain, and he was transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 21. The injury came at a difficult point in the season and added to the challenges of his early tenure in Oakland. The shoulder strain represented yet another setback in a career that has seen Tommy John surgery, rotator cuff inflammation, lat strains, and oblique injuries.

Despite the difficulties, Severino remained under contract through 2027, giving him time to recover and contribute to the Athletics organization. His career trajectory has shown flashes of elite dominance interrupted by significant injuries. The 2025 season outlook included hopes that a healthy Severino could anchor the rotation and provide leadership to a developing team. The shoulder injury in 2026 tested that optimism, but his track record of returning from serious injuries offered reasons for encouragement about his eventual return to form.