Nothing has changed since our last update on Luis Medina’s winter campaign. More of the same, actually: he keeps making hitters in the Puerto Rican winter league look like rookies, which is quite the accomplishment for a guy who is just 21 and has spent the better part of the last few years trying to throw strikes. The New York Yankees, of course, are rejoicing.
The young Yankees’ fireballer had a phenomenal week in Puerto Rico. On Tuesday, he struck out 10 hitters in 4 2/3 innings for Indios de Mayaguez. Additionally, he had another superb outing on Sunday, reaching five innings for the first time on the season and allowing just on run, his first of the winter campaign. He punched out seven Criollos de Caguas hitters in the masterpiece.
Overall on the week, the Yankees’ farmhand whiffed 17 batters in 9 2/3 frames across the two outings, conceding just four hits and walks apiece.
The right-hander is now the LBPRC leader in strikeouts with 32, but the most amazing part is that he has earned them in just 16 2/3 frames. That’s an amazing ratio. For the Yankees, though, the most satisfying part of it all is that he is still throwing consistent strikes.
The Yankees have to be pleased with his performance
All in all, Medina has a microscopic 0.54 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP in four starts and 16 2/3 innings. He has been, without a doubt, the best pitcher of the Puerto Rican circuit.
ð™¾ðšƒðšð™° ðš‚ð™°ð™»ð™¸ð™³ð™° ð™¸ð™½ð™²ðšð™´Ãð™±ð™»ð™´ 🥵
El prospecto de los @yankees, Luis Medina volvió a lucir espectacular, por cinco entradas, cargando con la victoria.
Acumuló 7ï¸âƒ£ ponches.
¿Quién le puede batear?#ð—–ð—¿ð—²ð—²ð—˜ð—»ð—Ÿð—®ð—§ð—¿ð—¶ð—¯ð˜‚ #ð—¥ð˜‚ð—ºð—¯ð—¼ð—”ð—¹ðŸðŸµ #ð—–ð—¼ð—»ð˜ð—¿ð—®ð—§ð—¼ð—±ð—¼ð˜€ pic.twitter.com/piyYyRw0yC
— Indios de Mayagüez (@IndiosLBPRC) December 27, 2020
The Yankees have to be pleased, as Medina used to run BB/9 marks over five in most of his minor league seasons until something clicked late in the 2019 season. He seemed to find consistency with his release point and finished last year with a 1.77 ERA, 63 strikeouts and 15 walks over his final 45 2/3 innings between Class A Charleston and Class A Advanced Tampa.
If he has a positive spring training, he could start the season in Class-A and could conceivably reach the high minors in 2021. Or he could be trade bait for the Yankees right now (there are several starters available) or in the summer.