On Wednesday, Fox Sports Florida named MLB Network’s Paul Severino as the new play by play voice of the Miami Marlins.
OFFICIAL: Excited to welcome and introduce Paul Severino (@SeverinoMLB) as our new play-by-play announcer for #Miami @Marlins broadcasts on @FOXMarlins! pic.twitter.com/j62TWP5d8S
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) January 31, 2018
Severino replaces Rich Waltz, who was let go in November along with analysts Jeff Conine and Preston Wilson. Marlins broadcasts on FS Florida have been in a state of flux over the last few seasons, starting with the dismissal of long-time analyst Tommy Hutton following the 2015 season. Severino will be partnered with former MLBer Todd Hollandsworth, returning from last year, and reporters Jessica Blaylock and Craig Minervini.
Severino’s career at MLB Network began in 2011, and he’s called a number of premium games for the network, including weekly MLB Network Showcase games, the World Baseball Classic, and a number of Minor League exhibition games (Arizona Fall League, AAA All-Star Game, Under Armour All-America game, etc). He’s also hosted a handful of studio shows, including MLB Tonight, High Heat, Intentional Talk, and The Rundown.
This isn’t the most notable hiring that Fox Sports Florida could have made, but given the furor that erupted when Waltz was let go, they needed to name a solid replacement for him. In Severino, they have exactly that.