The New York Yankees have an important decision to make when it comes to starting pitching. With the need for a sixth starter due to rainouts, the team has chosen Luis Gil over Clarke Schmidt to take the mound.
Some fans are questioning if Gil’s recent success out of the bullpen means he is ready for a starting role.
Who is Luis Gil?
The New York Yankees will be utilizing another starter in their rotation this week as they play catch-up after two postponed games. The team will be forced to use a “sixth” starter for the first time this season, with Luis Gil getting the call to make a start.
In this article, we will examine why Luis Gil was given the nod over Clarke Schmidt and provide some background information on this promising starting pitcher.
Background Information on Luis Gil
Luis Gil was born on December 26, 1998, in Azua, Dominican Republic. He was first signed as an international free agent by the Minnesota Twins on August 31, 2015. The Yankees later acquired him in a trade that involved outfielder Jake Cave on July 30, 2018.
Over the past year, Luis Gil has been making waves in the minor leagues as one of the most promising pitching prospects in the Yankees’ organization.
His Career With the New York Yankees
Luis Gil spent the 2019 season with the Single-A Charleston RiverDogs, where he made 20 starts and posted a 5-5 record with a 2.72 ERA.
He struck out 123 batters in 96.2 innings pitched, which was good for an 11.5 K/9 rate. In 2020, Gil was promoted to the Yankees’ alternate site in Staten Island, where he continued to develop and impress throughout the season.
In 2021, Gil began the year with Double-A Somerset, where he made nine starts and posted a 5-2 record with a 4.20 ERA. His 10.7 K/9 rate was impressive, but he struggled with command at times, issuing 27 walks over 45 innings pitched.
The Yankees rewarded Gil’s strong effort in Double-A by promoting him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. In Triple-A, he was even more impressive, posting a 4-1 record with a 2.35 ERA over six starts. He recorded 45 strikeouts in 30.2 innings pitched while only allowing 16 hits, an incredible 13.2 K/9 rate.
Why Luis Gil is Starting Over Clarke Schmidt for the Yankees Thursday?
In terms of why Luis Gil will be making the start on Thursday, the answer is relatively simple. With a doubleheader coming up on Friday, the Yankees need to ensure that their starting pitchers are well-rested, and Clarke Schmidt was the odd pitcher out in this situation.
Luis Gil has been on a roll recently, and the team felt that he was the best option to make the start in the opener of the four-game series against the Mariners.
Luis Gil is a young, promising starting pitcher in the New York Yankees’ organization who is on the rise. He has made tremendous strides over the past year and has quickly become one of the top prospects in the farm system.
While Clarke Schmidt remains an intriguing option for the Yankees, they opted to go with Gil for Thursday’s start as Schmidt will presumably be available to pitch in one of the games during Friday’s doubleheader. It will be exciting to see what this talented pitcher brings to the table in his first start of the season.
What Are the Yankees’ Options?
The Yankees’ Need for a “Sixth” Starter
Due to recent rainouts, the New York Yankees have lost their original starting rotation, leading the team to use a “sixth” starter for the first time in 2022.
This situation has forced the Yankees to look deeper into their minor league system and bring up a pitcher who is not initially a part of their starting rotation plans to fill the slot in their starting lineup.
The Yankees’ need for a “sixth” starter underscores the importance of having all their pitchers ready for the season, especially during the early part of the schedule when weather can cause rescheduling games.
Clarke Schmidt Vs Luis Gil
In deciding who will start as the Yankees’ sixth starter, two names have emerged as potential candidates: Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil. Both pitchers have had minor league successes, but it ultimately falls upon the Yankees’ coaching staff to determine the best fit for their starting rotation.
Schmidt was considered the more likely of the two to be the sixth starter, but ultimately, the Yankees went with Luis Gil. Several factors may have come into play.
Firstly, Schmidt, 25, is coming off a season where he struggled with injury, making only seven appearances, including five starts. In contrast, Gil, 23, who made his major league debut in 2021, impressed with his fastball and slider.
Gil showed promise during his time in the Yankees’ minor league system, with a 2.72 ERA over the course of 85 innings pitched. He also pitched well in his brief stint in the majors, with a 1.42 ERA over his four starts, garnering 19 strikeouts.
In summary, though both Schmidt and Gil showed potential in their respective minor league stints, the Yankees went with a player whose recent performance better aligned with their team’s immediate needs.
Gil’s success in his four major league starts in 2021 and his promising arm influenced their decision to give him the chance to start over Schmidt as the Yankees’ sixth starter.
Advantages of Starting Luis Gil
High Potential for Success
Luis Gil’s impressive track record in the minor leagues and his strong performances in spring training games suggest that he has the potential to perform well in the major leagues. This potential for success gives the Yankees an advantage in the upcoming game, as they can rely on Gil to deliver a solid performance on the mound.
Excellent Control and Movement
Gil’s combination of velocity and movement has been causing trouble for batters, and he has demonstrated excellent control on the mound. This means that he can effectively pitch strikes and avoid walks, which can limit the opposing team’s ability to score runs.
Fresh Perspective
As a top prospect, Gil is relatively new to the major league scene. This fresh perspective can be advantageous, as opposing teams may not have enough scouting information on him. This can make it difficult for them to prepare and adjust their strategies accordingly.
Increased Motivation
Starting a game can be a motivating factor for any pitcher, but it can be especially true for someone like Gil who is just starting out in the major leagues. This motivation can translate into better focus and performance on the field.
Flexibility in the Pitching Rotation
By starting Gil over Clarke Schmidt, the Yankees have the option to use Schmidt in relief if necessary. This provides the team with greater flexibility in their pitching rotation, as they can use both pitchers strategically to optimize their chances of winning the game.
Disadvantages of Starting Luis Gil
Lack of Experience
As a rookie who has yet to make a start in the major leagues, Luis Gil lacks the experience of pitching multiple innings and handling high-pressure situations. This can lead to mistakes that can prove costly for the team and impact the outcome of the game.
Pressure and Expectations
Starting a game at the big league level can be overwhelming, particularly for a young player like Gil. The pressure and expectations to perform can impact his mental game, leading to anxiety, nervousness, and even self-doubt.
Adjusting to Major League Hitters
The level of competition in the major leagues is significantly higher than in the minors. Adjusting to the hitters’ skill level, especially in the middle of the season, can be challenging for a young pitcher. It can take time to learn how to pitch to different types of hitters effectively.
Fatigue
Starting a game can be physically demanding, and it can take a toll on a young player’s body, particularly one who has not started before in the major leagues. The fatigue can affect his performance, speed, and control, leading to mistakes and poor pitching.
Potential for a Slump
Starting a rookie can be risky as young players can sometimes go through slumps. It’s not uncommon to see a player who starts off strong and then struggles in the following games. If this happens, the team may have to look for other options, which can impact the team’s morale and overall performance.
Why is Luis Gil Not Playing?
- Injured: Luis Gil underwent Tommy John surgery In May 2022, Luis Gil underwent Tommy John surgery to reconstruct a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
- Recovery time: Gil requires more than two months for throwing progression After the surgery, Gil resumed tossing bullpen sessions in the latter stages of spring training. However, the recovery process for Tommy John surgery can take between 12-18 months, and Gil needs more than two months to complete his throwing progression.
- Rehab assignment: Gil needs a minor-league rehab assignment In addition to completing his throwing progression, Gil will also require a minor-league rehab assignment before he can be considered for the major leagues.
- Working his way back: Gil is still working his way back As of now, Gil is still working his way back from his surgery and will likely not be available to play for the Yankees anytime soon.
- Importance of long-term recovery: The Yankees will prioritize Gil’s long-term recovery While the Yankees would undoubtedly love to have Gil back in the lineup, they understand the importance of prioritizing his long-term recovery rather than rushing him back too soon.
Who Does Luis Gil Play for?
Luis Gil’s Early Career
Luis Gil was born on November 14, 1993, in Garden Grove, California, and began his career in 2009 with Pateadores of the US Soccer Development Academy.
Professional Career
Gil signed with MLS team Real Salt Lake in 2010, where he played until 2015. He then joined Queretaro FC in Liga MX until 2019, when he returned to MLS with the Houston Dynamo.
International Career
Gil has represented the United States at various youth levels, including the U-17, U-18, and U-20 teams. He made his senior team debut in January 2014 in a friendly against South Korea.
Style of Play
Gil is known for his technical skills and ability to play multiple positions, including central midfielder, attacking midfielder, and winger. He is also praised for his vision and passing accuracy on the pitch.
Awards and Achievements
Throughout his professional career, Gil has been named to the MLS All-Star team twice and won the MLS Cup with Real Salt Lake in 2009. He also won the CONCACAF Champions League with the team in 2011.
To Recap
While some may have reservations about Luis Gil starting, the Yankees have shown confidence in the young pitcher. It remains to be seen how he will fare as a starter, but the team clearly believes in his potential.
As they navigate a long season with many uncertainties, it’s important for the Yankees to have flexibility in their pitching staff, and a successful start from Gil could give them just that.
