The New York Yankees never anticipated that 25-year-old Luis Gil would step up and essentially fill in as their ace, especially with Gerrit Cole recovering from a nerve injury in his throwing elbow. Initially pegged as the number five starter, Gil has not only surpassed expectations with the best ERA on the team but is also having the best season of any pitcher on the roster.
Despite only pitching four innings in Single-A last season due to Tommy John surgery rehabilitation, Gil has made a remarkable comeback. Over 11 starts in 2024, he has pitched 63.2 innings, boasting a 1.99 ERA, a 2.97 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), and 11.23 strikeouts per nine innings. He has maintained an 83% left-on-base rate and a 40.1% ground ball rate.
The Yankees Are Seeing Star Quality From Luis Gil
The Yankees recognized Gil’s potential back in 2021 when he was just 23. He pitched 29.1 innings with a 3.07 ERA that season. Fortunately, the team continued to invest in him even after his elbow injury, a decision that is now paying significant dividends.
In his last six outings, Gil has surrendered only three earned runs over 32.1 innings—an impressive feat. With Cole sidelined, the entire starting rotation has stepped up, but Gil has outshone his peers, including several with ERAs under 3.00 this season.
Gil’s arsenal includes a fastball, change-up, and slider. He ranks in the 100th percentile for pitching run value and in the 97th percentile for expected batting average at .181, with a strike-out rate in the 91st percentile at 31.7%. His fastball averages 96.5 mph, holds a .134 batting average against, and achieves a 30.8% whiff rate. The pitch features 11% more vertical movement than average, including 11.8 inches of drop. His change-up and slider have also proven effective, with opposing batters hitting just .148 and .122 against them, respectively.
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Rotation Decisions and Long-Term Potential
As Gerrit Cole is set to return next month, the Yankees face a dilemma about who will adjust roles within the rotation. Previously, some might have assumed Gil would be the odd man out, but his performance has made it clear he needs to remain in the mix.
Nestor appears most likely to transition to the bullpen, but having such depth in quality pitching is a favorable problem for the Yankees. They are well-prepared to handle potential injuries—an issue they have struggled with in past seasons.
With only one year of service time and set to be a free agent in 2029, Gil remains one of the most valuable players on the Yankees roster, earning just $750K this year.