Q&A: Nationals Minor Leaguer Atahualpa Severino

Recently I had the opportunity to interview Nationals relief pitcher Atahualpa Severino. We met outside of the dugout before Friday’s game versus the Rochester Red Wings.

CF: You were recently called up to the Nationals what was the experience like up there?

AS: I didn’t really expect it to happen I was not waiting for the experience; I did not play while I was up there but yes I was surprised.

CF: What is your current role with the Chiefs?

AS: Long relief or short relief either way, that’s the way I’m being used.

CF: When the rosters expand in September, are you expecting another call up to Washington?

AS: Yes I am expecting that.

CF: What was it like to be reunited with some of your teammates, did you have a chance to interact or was it too brief an experience?

AS: It was good but there wasn’t much time only three games.

CF: Earlier in the season with Strasburg here how did you deal with all the craziness, were you able to go about your business?

AS: In the stadium or during the game how do you mean it?

CF: Just the buzz that surrounded him, the fans, the media attention, did it change anything you did personally with your routines?

AS: Not really.

CF: How did the time you spent playing in the Dominican Republic prepare you for the major league call up?

AS: There are a lot of players in the Dominican Republic trying to play in the major leagues, so the competition there is better because it prepares you better than the minor leagues.

CF: Do you still maintain contact with former players or now that you have signed with a different team you tend to lose contact?

AS: A little bit, here and there but the separation does make it more difficult.

CF: How do you mentally prepare to enter a game? When you get the phone call what goes through your mind mentally to get ready to come to the mound?
AS: I am always ready, always prepared.

CF: Is a there a routine that you follow every day regardless of the situation?

AS: Every day it is the same.

AS: I do have to work the situation which is different every game.

CF: What are your personal goals for the rest of the season? What are you looking to accomplish over the next couple of months?

AS: My goals are to get called back up and to continue working hard.

Thanks to Atahualpa for taking time out before the game, and a special thanks to Mike Couzens for interpreting.