New York Mets starting pitcher Luis Severino had a choice between participating in live BP or facing an opposing team on Friday afternoon. He quickly opted for the latter, eager to make his Grapefruit League debut against the St. Louis Cardinals. Severino’s performance didn’t disappoint, showcasing new skills he honed during the offseason.
During his outing for the Mets, Severino threw two scoreless innings, striking out one batter and keeping the Cardinals hitless. However, these innings were just a glimpse of his impressive performance.
Two notable aspects stand out: first, Severino hit 98 mph on the radar gun, demonstrating his increased velocity. Second, he exhibited good control over his pitches, a positive sign given his struggles in 2023.
Severino had been working on a sinker during the offseason, which he unveiled against the Cardinals alongside five other pitches in his duel with Matt Carpenter. Employing a sinker, fastball, slider, changeup, and a cutter that reached 98 mph, Severino displayed his expanded repertoire.
Adding a subtle stutter step to his wind-up, Severino introduced a bit of flair to his pitching technique, possibly unsettling Carpenter. Notably, Severino faced key Cardinals hitters including Dylan Carlson, Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Gorman, Nolan Arenado, and Willson Contreras, demonstrating his capability against formidable opponents.
Following the game, Severino approached his postgame interview with confidence and enthusiasm. He proudly discussed his 98 mph pitch and emphasized that he still possesses formidable pitching ability.
When questioned about Kodai Senga’s injury and its potential impact on him with the regular season looming, Severino expressed his commitment to higher standards and assured the media that the Mets have ample talent on the roster to support him.