As the New York Yankees delve into the complexities of the offseason, conversations will inevitably focus on their starting pitching. On paper, the Yankees’ rotation appeared formidable, boasting an impressive lineup of arms. However, when it came to crunch time, particularly during the playoffs, their performance fell short of expectations. With the 2025 season looming on the horizon and uncertainties surrounding their pitching staff, a key question arises: Can right-hander Luis Gil step up and solidify his place within the rotation, completing the essential battery that the Yankees so desperately need?
Luis Gil A Possible Answer
The Yankees experimented with different starting pitchers throughout the season, with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon being the standout names at the top of the rotation. Cole returned from injury in late June and gradually reclaimed his status as the Yankees’ ace. He finished the regular season with an 8-5 record and a 3.41 ERA over 95 innings, showcasing his dominance and reliability.
In the postseason, Cole continued to perform well, recording a 2.17 ERA in five starts. In contrast, Carlos Rodon had a less impressive season. After a shaky performance in the postseason, Luis Gil, who was named the American League Rookie of the Year, appears set to take a prominent role in the rotation. Gil logged just eight innings in the 2025 postseason, pitching four innings against the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series and another four innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
While his performance wasn’t stellar, it was somewhat expected. He had a 6.75 ERA, allowing six earned runs and eight hits, while recording four strikeouts and five walks. Batters hit .267 against him in this span. Over the course of his eight innings, Gil threw 146 pitches, with 88 of those being strikes.
Notably, Gil pitched on October 18 and then again on October 29, but he hadn’t taken the mound since September 28. This extended break and the gaps in his activity likely contributed to his inability to perform at his best during the postseason.
Gil’s Regular Season Performance Can Be the One-Two Punch
Cole’s absence at the start of the season allowed Gil to step up as the fifth man in the rotation. April was a mediocre warm-up for the right-hander, but May proved to be extraordinary. In May, Gil finished with a perfect 6-0 win-loss record and posted an impressive 0.75 ERA over 38 and two-thirds innings. However, he cooled down significantly in the following months, ending June with a 6.45 ERA. During May, opposing batters managed only a .109 batting average against Gil, while in June, that average rose to .253.
As the weeks passed, this inconsistency raised concerns in the bullpen. Thankfully, those worries were short-lived, as Gil demonstrated his ability to bounce back. On July 13th, he delivered an effective performance, securing a win against the Baltimore Orioles.
Congratulations to Luis Gil on being named Baseball Digest’s American League Rookie of the Year
@thegil81
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— New York Yankees (@Yankees) November 7, 2024
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He threw six innings, only allowing five hits, one earned run, one walk, and seven strikeouts. In the month of July, Gil slashed his ERA down to 3.33. Yankees management was confident in the ability of the right-hander to hold his own.
Gil ended the 2024 regular season with a 15-7 record and a 3.50 ERA within 151 and 2 / 3 innings. He faced 637 batters and struck out 171. The statistic that stands out for the wrong reason is the 77 walks this season, which led the league. This statistic isn’t all that alarming.
Gil’s Metrics And Measurements
The Yankees starter was effective in his pitch options. He executed three pitches, two of which surpassed 20% put-away percentages and drove him through five or more innings per game. His groundout percentage is 35%, with a 30% flyout percentage.
Gil’s command was on point, using the zone and executing his pitches. His fastball was the most used option, and this was responsible for 88 strikeouts. The fastball averaged 96.6 mph and was seen up to 99 mph. His slider was the second most used, resulting in 56 strikeouts and a 31.5% WHIFF. This was followed by a changeup that was used the least. Gil has been very effective, controlling his matchups and putting his hitters in a hole. The right-hander disadvantaged his hitters, forcing roll-over outs and chasing strike threes.
On May 28th, Gil racked up 14 strikeouts in six innings, only allowing one run. He threw 98 pitches with 65 strikes.
The Struggles Of Rodon Could Cause For Rotation Reassessment
Rodon had a decent regular season. Numerically, his 16-9 season record was very impressive. He finished with a 3.96 ERA in 175 innings pitched. Rodon struck out 195 batters, only walking 57.
What placed Rodon’s name in question? His postseason performance showed inconsistencies. The southpaw went 1-2 with a 5.6- ERA in four starts and 17 and 2 /3 innings of work. In three of his four postseason starts, Rodon lasted less than five innings.
Although his numbers weren’t all that terrible, his allowances per game started are questionable, and his lack of ability to provide depth is unsatisfactory. Rodon can be good; however, being trusted in key postseason spots is still up in the air. The 2025 Yankees should prioritize Gil after Cole in the rotation. Gil’s profile is a solid one-two-punch option for the Yankees. If it comes down to that, Rodon should be the fourth or fifth man with reconsideration for the postseason roster.
Main Photo Credits: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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