Source: BroBible
Summary
Major League Baseball suspended Daury David Severino Damaso after an age-fraud scheme was uncovered. The player, who was believed to be 13 or 14, is actually 16. A trainer created a fake identity for a supposed younger brother and falsified documents, including a death certificate and tombstone. The Guardians signed him for $2.8 million. The scandal echoes a similar case involving Fausto Carmona, who also falsified his age.
Our Reading
The habit gets a new name.
Players pretend to be younger. Coaches pretend to believe them. Teams pretend to care. Everyone pretends it’s not a farce.
Fake death certificates. Fake birth records. Fake graves. All for a shot at the big leagues.
Age fraud is the new black. Or maybe it’s just the same old trick with a fresh coat of paint.
Some people will do anything to get a contract. Even die twice.
Author: Evan Null
MLB Suspends Prized Dominican Prospect
David Severino, a young baseball prospect, was suspended by Major League Baseball after an age-fraud scheme was uncovered. The player, who was believed to be 13 or 14, is actually 16. The Guardians signed him for $2.8 million in a deal that would have been finalized in 2029.
Elaborate Scheme Uncovered
A trainer created a fake identity for a supposed younger brother, complete with falsified birth records, medical documents, and a death certificate. The family also planted a fake tombstone in the Dominican Republic to support the ruse.
Similar Case in the Past
This is not the first time age fraud has been uncovered in baseball. In 2012, Fausto Carmona was arrested for falsifying his name and age, revealing he was actually Roberto Hernandez and significantly older than he claimed.
Impact on the Player
Severino, who was set to sign in 2027, now faces a one-year suspension. His accomplishments are now viewed in a different light, as he was competing against younger players.
Reaction from the Baseball Community
Scouts and executives were skeptical of Severino’s age from the start. One team executive said they immediately doubted his age when they saw him play. The trainer involved called the scheme “movie stuff” and said he had never seen anything like it before.
