Luis Severino took The Bronx by storm when he was called up by the Yankees in early August. Now, with just a few weeks before the start of spring training, the right-hander believes he can do more in 2016.
“I think this year I’ll be better than last year,” Severino said Friday. “I’m working on my breaking stuff, and my command is gonna be good. I’m already working harder than I did last year to get ready because I know what I have to do to pitch [in the majors].”
The Yankees have to hope Severino is able to follow through, because he quickly has developed into an important cog in the staff despite having only pitched 11 games in the majors.
They figure to have to deal with the fragile health of CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka, as well as the inconsistency of Nathan Eovaldi, Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda.
So there will be considerable pressure on someone who doesn’t turn 22 until next month and began last season with Double-A Trenton.
“For me, my goal is to go 200 [innings],’’ said Severino, brushing aside concerns about an innings limit. “I’m not worried about that.”
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He tossed 161 2/3 innings in 2015 (99 1/3 in 19 minor league starts and 62 1/3 in 11 major league starts), so 200 innings shouldn’t be out of reach.
Of course, the Yankees are looking for the same quality as they got a year ago, when Severino went 5-3 with a 2.89 ERA.
“I got a lot of experience after I got to the majors,’’ Severino said. “I know a lot of hitters now and I know how to pitch them better.’’
Severino spent most of the offseason in his native Dominican Republic and began his throwing program “a month and a half or two months ago.”
He was back in New York on Friday to sign jerseys and bats for Topps at their Manhattan office, part of his growing popularity after flying through the Yankees farm system.
“I expected to get high up, but not as high as I did,” Severino said. “I didn’t think I’d be doing this kind of stuff.’’
While he credited pitching coach Larry Rothschild and several veteran players with making his transition to the majors easier, he singled out Sabathia.
“I watched him go through his injuries and keep pitching,” Severino said. “Even though his knee hurt, he kept going out there. That’s something I can learn from.”
Severino also said he is looking forward to meeting the new Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman.
“I’ve never seen him in person, but he’s one of the best closers in the game,” Severino said. “Of course it will be good having him behind me.”