Luis Severino Bio
Luis Severino, nicknamed “Sevy,” is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Athletics in Major League Baseball (MLB). 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 onward, 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 the MLB and continued to be a significant player for his teams.
Born on February 20, 1994, Severino has played for the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, and now the Athletics. He has built a reputation as a hard-throwing right-hander with a competitive edge. His journey from the Dominican Republic to MLB showcases both his athletic talent and his resilience through adversity.
Early Life and Background
Luis Severino was born on February 20, 1994, in Sabana de la Mar, located in the Hato Mayor province of the Dominican Republic. He grew up in a baseball-loving country where the sport serves as a central part of the culture. From a young age, Severino was surrounded by the game, and he developed his skills playing street baseball and in local youth leagues throughout his hometown.
Severino grew up as a fan of the New York Yankees, particularly admiring fellow Dominican Robinson Canó. His childhood admiration for the Yankees would later become a reality when he signed with the organization. As a young pitcher in the Dominican Republic, Severino displayed remarkable arm strength, catching the attention of professional scouts at an early age.
Path to Baseball
Severino signed with the New York Yankees as an international free agent on December 26, 2011, agreeing to a $225,000 signing bonus. He had initially agreed to terms with the Colorado Rockies, but a Yankees scout matched their offer and convinced Severino to play for the team he had grown up loving. 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 (DSL) Yankees that same year. He started 14 games, pitching to a 4–2 record with a 1.68 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 64+1⁄3 innings. His strong performance led to promotions through the Yankees minor league system, including stints with the Charleston RiverDogs, Tampa Yankees, and Trenton Thunder. Prior to the 2014 season, Baseball America ranked him as the Yankees’ ninth-best prospect. He was selected to appear in the 2014 All-Star Futures Game and was ranked the best prospect in the Yankees farm system before the 2015 season.
Luis Severino Career
Early Career (2015)
Luis Severino made his Major League Baseball debut on August 5, 2015, against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Manager Joe Girardi scheduled his debut after an injury to Michael Pineda and the team’s failure to acquire a starting pitcher before the trade deadline. In his debut, Severino pitched five innings, allowing two hits and two runs (one earned), while striking out seven batters and walking none. At age 21, he was the youngest pitcher to make a start in the 2015 MLB season and 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 his debut.
He ended his rookie season having started 11 games, pitching 62+1⁄3 innings with a 5–3 record, 2.89 ERA, and 56 strikeouts. His strong debut campaign established him as a promising young arm in the Yankees organization and set the stage for greater expectations the following year.
New York Yankees Breakthrough (2017–2018)
Severino began the 2016 season in the Yankees’ starting rotation but struggled, finishing with a 3–8 record and a 5.83 ERA. In 11 starts, he went 0–8 with an 8.50 ERA, though he performed better in relief appearances. Following spring training in 2017, he was named the Yankees’ fourth starter. That season marked his transformation into one of the league’s elite pitchers. On April 13, 2017, Severino struck out a career-high 11 batters in seven innings against the Tampa Bay Rays.
He was named to the 2017 American League All-Star team and finished the season with a 14–6 record, 2.98 ERA, and 230 strikeouts in 193+1⁄3 innings. His 230 strikeouts were tied with CC Sabathia for the third-most single-season strikeouts in Yankees history and the most by a right-handed pitcher in franchise history in the Modern Era. Severino finished third in the American League Cy Young Award voting. In 2018, he was named the Yankees’ Opening Day starter and earned his second consecutive All-Star selection, finishing the year 19–8 with a 3.39 ERA.
New York Mets Era (2024)
On December 1, 2023, Luis Severino signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the New York Mets. In his only season with New York, he posted an 11–7 record with a 3.91 ERA and 161 strikeouts in 182 innings pitched across 32 games. 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.
Despite a solid campaign, the Mets offered Severino a qualifying offer after the season, which he declined, making him a free agent.
Athletics Era (2025–Present)
On December 6, 2024, Luis Severino signed a three-year, $67 million contract with the Athletics, marking the largest contract in team history. The deal represented a significant commitment to Severino as a foundational piece of the franchise’s pitching staff. The move to the Athletics gave Severino an opportunity to serve as a veteran leader for a developing team.
His contract runs through the 2027 season, providing long-term stability for both player and organization. Severino’s arrival signaled the Athletics’ intent to build a competitive roster around established MLB talent.
Driving Style and Strengths
With a three-quarters delivery, Luis Severino currently throws four pitches: a four-seam fastball averaging 98 mph, a slider, a changeup, and as of 2022, a cutter. His fastball was clocked at 101 mph in 2017. In 2018, his average spin rate for sliders was ranked second in MLB at 2,910 rpm. Severino’s combination of velocity, spin, and pitch variety makes him a formidable opponent on the mound.
Notable Events and Milestones
Severino was chosen to start the 2017 American League Wild Card Game and the 2018 American League Wild Card Game. On May 2, 2018, he pitched his first career complete game, shutting out the Houston Astros 4–0 with 10 strikeouts. On October 4, 2022, he pitched seven no-hit innings against the Texas Rangers before being pulled from the game with 94 pitches. He became a finalist for the American League Cy Young Award in 2017, finishing third in the voting.
Luis Severino Career Wins
Throughout his MLB career, Luis Severino has accumulated impressive win totals across multiple teams. His breakthrough 2017 season saw him record 14 wins, followed by 19 wins in 2018. In 2024 with the Mets, he added 11 wins to his career total. Severino has consistently demonstrated the ability to perform at a high level when healthy.
MLB Highlights
Severino’s first major league win came during his rookie 2015 season with the Yankees. His most dominant stretch came during the 2017 season, when he posted a 14–6 record and finished third in the Cy Young Award voting. With the Mets in 2024, he recorded 11 wins and pitched a complete game shutout against the Miami Marlins. His career win total reflects his role as a frontline starting pitcher when at full health.
Other Wins and Performances
In the minor leagues, Severino posted a 6–5 record with a 2.46 ERA, 127 strikeouts, and 27 walks across 24 starts in 2014. He earned a 7–0 record with a 1.91 ERA in 11 starts for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2015 before his MLB call-up.
Luis Severino Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Luis Severino was born and raised in Sabana de la Mar, in the Hato Mayor province of the Dominican Republic. His roots in this baseball-rich country shaped his early development as a player. Growing up, Severino was a fan of the Yankees and fellow Dominican star Robinson Canó, which influenced his decision to sign with New York.
Personal Life
Severino and his wife, Rosmaly, have been together as a couple raising their family. Their daughter was born in July 2015, the same year Severino made his MLB debut. The couple’s second child, a son named Luis Jr., was born on July 8, 2021. Family has remained an important part of Severino’s life throughout his baseball career.
2025 Season Performance
Luis Severino entered the 2025 season as the Athletics’ marquee acquisition, having signed the largest contract in team history during the previous offseason. As the veteran presence on a developing roster, he was expected to anchor the starting rotation and provide leadership in the clubhouse. His performance throughout the season would be critical to the Athletics’ competitive aspirations.
Coming off an 11-win campaign with the Mets in 2024, Severino aimed to maintain his consistency and durability with his new team. His ability to log innings and eat up starts remained valuable for an Athletics franchise building toward long-term contention.
With his contract running through 2027, Severino’s role with the Athletics extends beyond the 2025 season. His partnership with the team’s pitching staff and coaching personnel will shape the franchise’s trajectory in the coming years. The 2025 season represents the first chapter of Severino’s tenure in Oakland as he works to establish himself as the ace of the Athletics’ rotation.