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Washington Nationals: Pedro Severino, another young catcher which got away

By James Simmons |
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 01: Pedro Severino #29 of the Washington Nationals looks on during batting practice of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Nationals Park on September 1, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 01: Pedro Severino #29 of the Washington Nationals looks on during batting practice of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Nationals Park on September 1, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Pedro Severino is another catcher which got away from the Washington Nationals. He continues to swing a hot bat with the Baltimore Orioles.

Did you see the pinch hit, home run Pedro Severino smacked in the eighth inning against the Nationals the other night. What about the three-run home run he hit to deep left field off of Max Scherzer, did you catch that?

Severino is developing a reputation as a Nats killer, though he is also abusing other teams around the league, solidifying his stature as a quality catcher in major league baseball.

I get it. If he wasn’t playing for the Baltimore Orioles, he may not be playing at all. I beg to differ. I think Severino has earned his way into the lineup on a regular basis with the O’s and would be a quality backup with any other team in the league.

As you remember, Severino was a member of the Nationals from 2015-2018. He was a lifetime .187 hitter who fell out of favor with Nats coaches and was passed on the depth chart by Tres Barrea and Raudy Read.

Entering 2019, Severino was out of options and put on waivers when it became clear he wouldn’t make the opening day roster. He went on to hit 14 home runs with the Orioles last year, and is off to a fast start this year as well.

In 60 at-bats he’s hitting .333 with 5 home runs and 18 runs batted in. In comparison, Nationals catchers Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki have combined for a .235 average with one jack and eleven ribbies.

Remember the name Sandy Leon? He would have been a solid backup to Wilson Ramos, though was stuck behind Jose Lobaton on the depth chart. He was out of options prior to the 2015 season and was sold to the Boston Red Sox.

In his second year in Beantown Leon would hit .310 and become a doubles hitter. He’d win a ring with the Red Sox before moving onto Cleveland.

A major league team is not made or broken by the play of their catching unit. Though if these young guys were given a chance, the Nats could have saved a few bucks not bringing in free agent backstops.

Best of luck to Pedro Severino moving forward, but please cool off some when facing your former team.

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