The New York Yankees had spent the vast majority of the offseason, and the 2021 regular season, looking for the Robin to Gerrit Cole‘s Batman. They made a series of moves during the offseason, making trades and signing free agents, in a quest to find that pitcher. It turns out that he may have already been a part of the organization the entire time.
Luis Gil has been far more than anyone could have imagined. He has become the Yankees’ top pitching prospect, someone that is essentially untouchable in trade talks at this point. It is an impressive rise for a pitcher who, prior to this season, had not pitched above High-A.
Luis Gil could be second ace New York Yankees need
Gil had been reasonably solid in the minors this year. He had posted a 4.13 ERA and a 1.344 WHiP in his 61 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, those numbers skewed due to Triple-A being a far more offensive environment. He struck out 88 batters while issuing 36 walks, with the command issues that concerned scouts being evident.
Those command issues have occasionally surfaced in the majors, but they have not mattered. Gill has allowed nine hits and seven walks over his 15.1 shutout innings, striking out 18 batters. All nine of those hits have been singles, as Gil has yet to allow an extra base hit in the majors. His performance on Tuesday, when he held the Red Sox scoreless over 4.2 innings, helped push the Yankees into a playoff berth.
That command will be the key for Gil as he looks to make his mark. While he did hold the Red Sox off the board on Tuesday, he also allowed four walks. As he is just 23 years old, there is still plenty of time for him to harness his stuff. If he can, Gil could be exactly what the Yankees need in their rotation.
He has the type of arsenal that could make him a top of the rotation arm. With the holes on the Yankees, both this season and into the future, having a potential second ace in Gil on the major league minimum would go a long way to helping New York cure their ills. Gil could make the pitching stuff that much better.
The New York Yankees need to find a viable Robin to Gerrit Cole’s Batman. They may have that already in their system with Luis Gil.