As Luis Gil worked his way through the Nationals’ lineup on Aug. 26, his velocity seemed to disappear.
A flame-thrower, Gil walked two batters and threw just two fastballs above 93 mph in the fourth inning that night, prompting a mound visit from Aaron Boone and a trainer. The sight briefly caused concern, as a spring training lat injury cost Gil significant time. The Yankees, meanwhile, did not acquire a dependable starter at the trade deadline.
Fortunately for the Yankees, Gil remained in the game and had no issues cracking 96 mph in the fifth inning of that 5-1 win. Afterward, Boone explained that an erratic Gil had simply “backed off” his velocity in an effort to find the strike zone.
“During that time in the game, I was using a lot of secondary pitches there,” said Gil, who walked four and struck out five while holding Washington to one earned run over five innings. “So when I wanted to go to the fastball, I wanted to make sure that it was in the zone and I would put myself in a good count and not fall under.”
While velocity is rarely an issue for Gil, command has been tougher for him to come by in his young major league career.
The right-hander, scheduled to start against the White Sox on Sunday, is only five starts into his 2025 season. The owner of a 3.75 ERA, Gil has walked at least three batters in four of those outings, and he’s totaled 17 walks — compared to 22 strikeouts — in 24 innings.
“It’s that consistent next level of control,” Boone said when asked what Gil needs to do to take his game to the next level. The manager added that consistently executing his delivery is key for Gil.
When Gil is on, he is electric. His talent earned him the American League’s Rookie of the Year Award last season, as the 27-year-old went 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA and a 26.8 K% over 29 starts. But even then, Gil recorded a 12.1 BB%, the highest mark of any pitcher with at least 150 innings.
No other pitcher had a BB% higher than 10.1 in 2024.
The good news for Gil now is that he is still building up. August may be ending, but his season is in its early stages.
“He’s still working his way back in there. Stuff’s been good. Health, good, and some flashes of [being] really good in these games,” Boone said. “We certainly know what he’s capable of.”
Gil, meanwhile, said he likes where he’s at physically. However, he knows he has more to offer.
“With every outing, I’m feeling stronger and more confident out there,” he said. “There’s work to be done, but I feel like I’m on the right track, and there’s no doubt in my mind I’ll get back to that 100% level that I was before.”
