The Yankees may have had the inside track on this one.
On Monday, Rafael Severino, a right-handed pitcher and the 19-year-old brother of Yankees ace Luis Severino, signed with the team during the Internationals free agency period. He will join New York’s academy team in the Dominican.
Luis Severino said his brother was “flipping out” when he told him the news.
"I told him the news. I was excited," Luis said (via Yankees.com). "Every time somebody in your family has the opportunity to play professional baseball, it's really important in the Dominican."
Rafeal’s fastball clocks in well under his brother’s at only 88-89 mph, but Luis said that will change once his “skinny” brother gets stronger. For now, Rafeal will rely on four developed pitches — something Luis didn’t have at such a young age.
"When I was 19, I was in the Gulf Coast League here [with the Yankees] 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,” Luis said. “(He) doesn't have a lot of strength in his arms, doing weights and stuff like that, but when he gets stronger he's going to throw hard. … I don't even know how long it's going to take, but I'm just glad that he's got the opportunity to be somebody."
When asked about the potential of having another domianant Severino on his staff, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said: "Sign me up for that."