Despite a couple of rough starts, New York Yankees rookie starting pitcher Luis Gil remains a strong contender for the American League Rookie of the Year award.
At the beginning of the season, Gil showcased his talent as one of the top pitchers in MLB, not just among rookies. Prior to his recent struggles, Gil boasted a 2.03 ERA, ranking fourth among all starting pitchers. Additionally, his 96 strikeouts placed him ninth in the league.
Even with his recent setbacks against the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets, Jon Heyman of The New York Post still views Gil as the frontrunner for the AL Rookie of the Year award.
“Until his past couple of starts, he was a Cy Young contender,” Heyman noted.
While two poor starts can impact his chances, Gil must not let them define his season. In his last two outings, Gil struggled, allowing 12 hits, 12 earned runs, two home runs, six walks, and three strikeouts in a total of 5.2 innings.
Given Gil’s limited experience, with the majority of his 119 career innings pitched this season, the Yankees will closely monitor his workload. Having undergone Tommy John surgery and missing the entire 2023 season, Gil’s arm health is a priority for the team.
Despite these challenges, Gil’s potential in the rotation is evident, prompting the Yankees to handle his usage with caution.
If Gil can bounce back from his recent struggles, whether as a starter or reliever, he stands a good chance of finishing his rookie season with accolades.
For more Yankees coverage, check out Kevin Hickey’s work on Sporting News.
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