In August 2015, David Ortiz launched a fourth-inning offering from Luis Severino skyward into the right-field bleachers. The home run was an abrupt welcome for the Yankees pitcher in his debut at the top level, but the former Red Sox slugger has more than made up for it in the years since.
Ortiz and Pedro Martinez have passed along their wisdom — informed by their four combined World Series rings — to help New York’s right-hander make his way in the majors. The project is going well so far, considering Severino carried a 14-2 record and 2.31 ERA into his second consecutive All-Star Game this week.