Pedro Severino spent spring training looking over his shoulder. With every move the Washington Nationals made, the 25-year-old catcher worried about how it affected his spot on their roster.
With Severino out of minor league options, the Nationals had to pass him through waivers once they decided he wasn’t going to make their major league roster. The Orioles claimed him, and a little more than a month into the season, both they and Severino are better for it.
With increased opportunities, Severino has thrived. By FanGraphs’ version of wins above replacement, only Trey Mancini, Dwight Smith Jr.