Luis Gil, in 2024, has been a blessing for the New York Yankees. Generally, teams don’t value the fifth starter. In 2009, when the NY side won their most recent World Series, they had three starters – CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte, and AJ Burnett. Anyway, the role of the fifth starting pitcher always falls behind at the least priorities for teams. It always comes down to the quality of the pitcher and whether they can go well beyond the description. That’s what is happening in the current season. The Bronx Bombers are off to a hot start to the 2024 season.
They have the best record in the American League so far. Moreover, the offense is on song. Aaron Judge started the season really slow, but he is back with his natural power-hitting form. Then, Juan Soto has been the favorite to win this year’s AL MVP. Mostly, the hitters look healthy and in form. But what about the pitching department of the Yankees? They have done more than a decent job so far. But the most impactful pitcher has been the fifth starter. Luis Gil got his big break as a starting pitcher after Gerrit Cole hurt his right elbow during spring training. Since then, he has been brilliant.
The Emergence Of Luis Gil For The Yankees
Clearly, the Yankees have the best hitter in baseball, who is a 25-year-old Dominican. But who knew the best pitcher so far this season would also be a 25-year-old Dominican? It is really a blessing for the Bronx Bombers when Luis Gil came to the limelight as a starting pitcher. He was a promising prospect for the Yankees when he joined the team. But he was a top prospect for the bullpen. It did not look like he would get a chance as a starting pitcher. Then, he had to undergo Tommy John surgery in 2022. He could not play the whole 2022 season. Moreover, Gil missed the whole 2023 season while recovering from the surgery.
But then, in 2024, the ace pitcher Gerrit Cole suffered a nerve inflammation in his right elbow. It was a big blow for the Yankees right before the Opening Day of the regular season, losing the ace who’s coming off his career-best season. But then to replace the reigning AL Cy Young winner came the 25 year old Luis Gil as the fifth starter. After 52 games, Gil is a legitimate contender for the AL Rookie of the Year. He can possibly have an All-Star berth. Luis Gil is leading the pack that is enjoying stability and a pretty good ERA of 2.85. Who knows what will happen to Gil when Cole returns?
From Aaron Boone To Aaron Judge, Everybody Is Praising The Young Starter
The 25-year-old Dominican pitcher allowed an infield hit to JP Crawford as, it turned into a one-hit ball in 6 1/3 innings. This performance prompted Aaron Judge to say that it was a treat to watch from the center field. Later, the Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised the kid, saying, “Gil is an amazing talent with a great ceiling, and he is constantly delivering for the team.” Gil refers to Gerrit Cole as his “Professor.” Sure, he has learned a lot from the master himself.
But Luis Gil is on a roll this year and is on his way to end up with his career-best season so far. Gil has a pretty strong command of the strike zone. After the game against the Mariners, Aaron Boone said Gil is just getting better every game this season. Moreover, in Game 4 against the Seattle Mariners, Luis Gil pitched 98 times. Out of those 98 pitches, 65 were for strikes.
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