MLB reportedly suspends Dominican prospect, who had $2.8 million agreement with Guardians, over age-fraud plot
Yahoo Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Cleveland Guardians canceled a $2.8 million agreement with Dominican prospect David Severino after MLB uncovered an age-fraud scheme involving a fake identity, revealing Severino is 16, not 13 or 14 as initially believed.
- Severino's real name is Daury David Severino Damaso, and his age was falsified through fabricated documents, including a fraudulent death certificate for an alleged older brother and a late birth registration.
- The elaborate fraud involved Severino's trainer and parents, who approved creating the false identity to make Severino appear younger and more valuable as a prospect.
- Severino performed well against younger competition but would have been expected to compete with older players based on his actual age, highlighting the severity of the deception.
- Although the Guardians face no MLB discipline, Severino has been suspended, delaying his eligibility for the international amateur market by a year.
