Prospect Age Fraud
MLB suspends Dominican baseball prospect after investigators uncover elaborate age fraud scheme.
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Key Points
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The Guardians' $2.8 million pre-deal was structured to finalize in 2029, when the prospect would be eligible to sign, under the assumption he was a teenager (13-14) at the time of agreement.
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A key element of the fraud was a fake death certificate claiming Daury Severino Damaso had died in 2012, accompanied by a planted tombstone at a gravesite in La Romana to support the fraudulent identity.
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Trainer Francisco Nieves allegedly orchestrated the switch to the younger identity, with apparent involvement or approval from the player's parents, producing the alias 'David Severino Damaso' as a stand-in for the real player.
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Because the true age is about two years older than claimed, MLB analysts estimate the prospect's market value could be drastically reduced (one scout pegged it around $10,000), and MLB disclosed that the Guardians would not face disciplinary action.
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Earlier reporting noted that a rights purchase for Severino was made for about $20,000 in 2023 by trainer John Pereyra after being told the player was 11, a purchase that now colors the potential financial fallout for the academy and those involved.
Major League Baseball suspended Dominican prospect Daury David Severino Damaso after uncovering an elaborate identity fraud scheme. Reuters reported that investigators discovered the player was nearly two years older than claimed—actually 16 years old, not 13 or 14 as the Cleveland Guardians believed when they signed him to a $2.8 million pre-deal.
The deception included a fake birth certificate, falsified medical records, a fraudulent death certificate, and even a planted tombstone at a gravesite in La Romana, Dominican Republic. Trainer Francisco Nieves allegedly orchestrated the identity switch with apparent involvement from the player's parents, creating the false 'David Severino' persona to make him appear younger and eligible for future signing.
How the Guardians Were Deceived
The Cleveland Guardians structured their $2.8 million deal to finalize in 2029, when they believed the prospect would reach signing age. Reuters noted that MLB investigators found the fraud was designed around this timeline—keeping the false younger age to delay when the player could legally join the league.
The scheme fooled front-office executives who relied on standard verification documents. A fake death certificate falsely claimed the real Daury Severino Damaso had died in 2012, supporting the cover story that 'David Severino' was a different, younger person.
Massive Loss in Market Value
The suspension devastates the prospect's financial future. One scout estimated his market value could plummet from millions to around $10,000—nearly a 99% drop. The older true age makes him significantly less valuable in international amateur baseball, where younger talent commands premium prices.
An earlier rights purchase for roughly $20,000 in 2023 by trainer John Pereyra, made after being told the player was 11, now looks like it may have been part of a pattern of misrepresentation spanning years.
Who Was Behind the Elaborate Scheme
Trainer Francisco Nieves allegedly orchestrated the entire identity switch, producing forged documents and coordinating with the player's parents. Reuters reported that the conspiracy went far beyond a simple birth-certificate error—it was a deliberate, multi-layered deception involving medical records, school documents, and even a physical gravesite.
The Guardians face no disciplinary action from MLB, though the league investigation concluded the fraud was intentional and sophisticated. The club is expected to lose their $2.8 million investment.
System Vulnerabilities Exposed
The case exposes serious gaps in how MLB verifies international signings. Despite the league's oversight, fraudsters created fake death certificates, planted tombstones, and forged medical and school records—all without detection until after the Guardians signed the deal.
Baseball's international signing system now faces renewed scrutiny. Experts say the incident reveals the need for stronger document verification, third-party authentication, and better communication between MLB and Dominican authorities to prevent similar schemes in the future.
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