SEVERINO, CONFIDENCE & A NEW CHANGE-UP

Photo: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Leave it to Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record.  He's got a nice nugget about Luis Severino you'll love.  Sevy's got a new change-up, and he's showing some confidence throwing it.  That's a good sign.

"During his 2.1 innings on Friday afternoon, Severino threw the change-up with conviction against a representative Blue Jays lineup.

"'Confidence is going to be a big thing with him. And I think today we built some confidence in his change-up,’ Romine said after Toronto’s 3-2 win at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium...

Photo: Times Union

'I thought it was progress,’ manager Joe Girardi said after Severino yielded two runs on four hits and a walk, with four strikeouts. 'Because we’ve got to get him comfortable with (the change-up).’

A reliable third pitch is essential to Severino’s quest to earn one of the Yankees’ two vacant rotation spots. And in a 47-pitch outing, the right-hander said he threw 'maybe 9-10’ change-ups against the likes of Kevin Pillar, Russell Martin, Kendrys Morales, Melvin Upton and Bautista."

Photo: Newsday

Now you don't think about this stuff, because many of us just assume that Severino deserves a starting role on this club, but it's very true... it's about command, and if you have control of the pitches you throw... CONFIDENCE will be gained.  I mean, how many times did we see Sevy frustrated with himself last season.  He's gotta get over it... he's in the major leagues now!

It's incredible to think about major leaguers who still aren't confident on what they throw.  I mean, in our society today, even with youth baseball... we are constantly dealing with motivating and trying to keep the kids confident in what they do. It's just amazing that it still happens, even when you make it.

Anyway, I thought I'd share. Nice work again, Caldera.