Luis Gil turns 26 years old today and was gifted with two awards this morning for his efforts last month. The New York Yankees’ electric young pitcher was named AL Pitcher of the Month, and AL Rookie of the Month for his performance in May. Gil has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, breaking out in a big way for a Yankees team that now has the best record in MLB at 42-19.
Luis Gil has been an unexpected gem for the Yankees this season
Before the season, it wasn’t even a guarantee that Gil would be in the Yankees rotation. The rookie had not pitched an inning in professional baseball since 2022 due to Tommy John Surgery. However, after Gerrit Cole’s injury during Spring Training, Gil was named the team’s fifth starter and has quickly risen up the ranks as one of the Yankees’ finest arms.
26-year-old rookie enjoyed a dominant month of May
Gil was dominant in May, pitching to a perfect 6-0 record in six starts, with a 0.70 ERA, and 44 strikeouts in 38.2 innings pitched. Gil boasted an impressive 31.2% K% and held opponents to a measly .109 AVG, .178 SLG%, and a .172 xWOBA. His month was highlighted by a 14-strikeout performance on May 18th against the Chicago White Sox, a new Yankees single-game rookie record, breaking the previous mark held by Orlando “El Duque” Hernández.
The 26-year-old rookie has put himself in the running to start the All-Star Game in July with his performance this season. On the season, Gil is 7-1, with a 1.99 ERA, and 79 strikeouts through 63.1 innings pitched. Gil ranks 2nd in the AL in wins, 3rd in ERA, 6th in strikeouts, and 1st in Batting Average Against (.135).
Gil joined teammate Aaron Judge as Yankees to take home hardware for May performance
In addition to Gil, Yankees OF Aaron Judge took home AL Player of the Month for May after his historic month at the plate. It is the first time that a pair of teammates have won Player and Pitcher of the Month awards in the same month since Gerrit Cole and Yuli Gurriel did it for the Houston Astros in July 2019.
Gil will look to continue his dominance into June when he takes the ball on Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins. In his last start on May 29th against the Los Angeles Angels, Gil was sensational, finishing with a line of 8.0 innings pitched, two hits, one earned run, and nine strikeouts.