Less than a week ago, popular catcher Manny Pina signed a two-year deal with the Atlanta Braves. With Omar Narvaez slated as the starting catcher again next season, the Milwaukee Brewers were in need of a backup catcher. They filled that need on Sunday by signing veteran Pedro Severino to a one-year $1.9 million contract. Jeff Passan was the first to report the news.
Introducing Pedro Severino
Pedro Severino multi-year MLB veteran who has played for the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles. He has appeared in parts of seven seasons. For his career, he is slashing .235/.305/.372. Last season, Severino appeared in 113 games, a career high. He hit .248/.308/.383 with 11 home runs and 46 RBI.
Severino did not have very good seasons with Washington. In parts for four seasons, he hit just .187/.273/.287 with four home runs and 22 RBI in 105 games. However, he had been much more productive with Baltimore. In three seasons with the Orioles, Severino hit .249/.315/.397 with 29 home runs and 111 RBI in 257 games.
Comparison to Manny Pina
Without a doubt, it is going to be difficult to replace Manny Pina’s clubhouse presence. Additionally, Pina is an excellent defensive catcher and handles a pitching staff well. Offensively, Pina may have seen his average fall this past season, but has otherwise been adequate behind the plate.
In his career with the Brewers, Pina hit .245/.315/.397 with 42 home runs and 146 RBI in 404 games. Those batting stats are very similar to those of Pedro Severino. This means that the Brewers are getting a similarly offensive talent for backup catcher for half the price of that which Pina signed for with Atlanta.
The major question, however, is whether or not Severino can be as good defensively as Pina. According to Severino’s scouting report as he came up through the minors, he is above average in framing pitches and has a quick throw to second base to gun down would-be base stealers.
Based on these stats and reports, the Milwaukee Brewers basically signed the second coming of Manny Pina. It may not be the flashiest signing, but the front office appears to have done well with this one.
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