While it’s only April, the Yankees’ number-five starter Luis Gil is off to a great start. While he has yet to register a decision in two starts, Gil has a 3.00 ERA with 14 strikeouts, a WHIP of 1.11 and opponents are only hitting .103 against him. Gil has yet to surrender a home run and the Yankees are also 2-0 when he starts. This is all despite missing most of the last season recovering from Tommy John and being originally cut early in camp. Given the success Gil has had early this year, he could give the Yankees a good problem when Gerrit Cole returns.
Promising 2021
Embed from Getty ImagesLuis Gil’s face is hardly unrecognizable to Yankee fans. He originally made his debut late in the 2021 season. He’d not only get his first career win, but he’d go on to pitch 15 2/3 scoreless innings. This would be the longest scoreless streak by a Yankee pitcher since 1961. The Dominican Republic native would also be the first pitcher in MLB history to have three consecutive scoreless starts.
Lost Seasons
Gil would pitch mostly in Triple-A and make a start for the big club in 2022. However, in May of that year, Gil hurt his elbow and had to have Tommy John Surgery, forcing him to miss the rest of the year. He wouldn’t return until late in the 2023 season and wouldn’t make an MLB appearance. Something like this could’ve hurt his career going forward.
He Originally Wasn’t A Part Of The 2024 Plan
Embed from Getty ImagesHeading into Spring Training, the Yankees rotation was pretty set with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes, and Clarke Schmidt. While Gil was invited to camp, it was a long shot to make the team. The 25-year-old would be cut early in the spring and be sent back to his minor league camp. However, due to Cole sustaining an elbow injury, a spot in the starting rotation was now open. The Yankees recalled Gil to the big-league camp to have him compete for the final rotation spot against prospects Will Warren and Clayton Beeter.
An Outstanding 2024 Spring
Embed from Getty ImagesThe right-handed starter was outstanding despite being called back to the big club at the last minute. He’d appear in five games, making three starts. Gil would go 2-0 with a 2.87 ERA, 23 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 0.83. He also held opposing batters to a .127 batting average against him. The Yankee brass was impressed with what they saw and announced that Gil would be the fifth starter.
He’s Pitched Well In Two Starts Against Playoff Team’s
Gil has made two starts so far this season. They’ve come against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays who were both in the postseason last season. So far, the Yankees are 2-0 in games he starts. While he hasn’t registered a decision, Gil currently has a 3.00 ERA with 14 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.11. Opponents have only been able to have a batting average of .103 against him. Despite missing most of 2022 and 2023, the 25-year-old seems to be looking like the starter who was off to a dominant start back in 2021.
Luis Gil Could Give The Yankees A Great Problem
Embed from Getty ImagesIf the righty keeps pitching well, the Yankees might have a tasty problem when Gerrit Cole returns. Nestor Cortes has been somewhat shaky early in the 2024 season. If Cortes continues to struggle and Gil keeps pitching well, I believe the 25-year-old could perhaps possibly take Cortes’s spot in the rotation. Given that manager Aaron Boone is on the hot seat, Nestor Cortes is struggling, and Gil is pitching well; it would be foolish to deviate from what’s working.
If Gil Keeps Pitching Well There Is No Reason To Send Him Down
Embed from Getty ImagesSo far in 2024, Gil is surpassing expectations. If he continues to pitch well, I would find it very hard to send him back down after Gerrit Cole returns. While the original plan didn’t include Gil, there is no reason to exclude him if he continues to thrive. If he continues to have success, then the New York Yankees are going to have a great problem going forward.
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