SARASOTA, FLORIDA — For Pedro Severino, the choice was simple. Either go back to the baseball field or find somewhere else to live.
The teenager had gotten a late start in the game. His efforts to sign a professional contract when he turned 16 were derailed by a ground ball to the face that made his hopes of being an infielder hard to achieve — he was afraid of the ball. The strikeouts didn’t help either.
Now having solidified himself as the Orioles’ primary catcher in his third season with the club, Severino’s latest challenge might pale in comparison to those in his past.