The New York Yankees were worried what their pitching staff could look like when Gerrit Cole when down with an injury during Spring Training. Little did they know, they had the most dominant pitcher in baseball, Luis Gil, waiting in the wings.
At one point, Luis Gil was among the top prospects that the New York Yankees had in their farm system. He was acquired from the Minnesota Twins in a trade for Jake Cave in 2018 that looks wildly lopsided now.
Through 11 starts this season, after not pitching in the major leagues in 2023, Luis Gil has been incredible. He has recorded an ERA of 1.99 in 63.1 innings, allowing only 29 hits but with 31 walks. Describing him as effectively wild would be appropriate, as he has also struck out 79 batters.
In May, he took his game to another level. It was a historic month, as Luis Gil made franchise history in his six starts. He went 6-0, allowing only 14 hits and 12 walks in 38.2 innings. His opponents scored only three runs, while he struck out 44.
According to Kate Sharp of StatHead and Talkin Yanks, Luis Gil is the first player ever for the team to have 40+ strikeouts in the same month he records an ERA of 0.75 or lower. That includes facing the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners.
Against the Chicago White Sox, more franchise history was made. Luis Gil struck out 14, breaking the record for strikeouts in a game by a rookie that was previously held by Orlando Hernandez.
This dominance has more than made up for the New York Yankees being without the reigning Cy Young award winner. Hopefully, Luis Gil can keep it up, as the team suffered a major blow with Clarke Schmidt heading to the IL and likely being sidelined until late into the summer.
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