Luis Gil climbing through Yankees organization

The New York Yankees announced this past Thursday that they would be promoting Luis Gil, their #2 pitching prospect to the High-A Tampa Tarpons from Low-A Charleston Riverdogs. The promotion well earned for the 21-year-old Dominican pitcher, who has posted a 2.39 era this season with opponents hitting .200 against him.

Gil made his Tarpons debut in Friday’s doubleheader and did not disappoint. He threw six innings allowing only four hits and two runs while striking out five.

“I felt very comfortable, loose and confident,” Gil said via a translator at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The 2019 South Atlantic League All-Star throws a four-seam fastball, change-up and an ankle-breaking curveball, which is sharp like a slider due to its velocity. Gil has touched 100 MPH off the mound and sits mid-upper 90’s.

“I work one pitch at a time…I’m very relaxed (on the mound),” said Gil.

Courtesy of MILB.com

Gil was traded from the Minnesota Twins to the Yankees during Spring Training in 2018 before ever playing in America. This year, the Yankees are looking to make some moves at the trade deadline, and with Gil having such a high value at the moment, he might be someone the Yankees will look to trade.

“Whatever situation comes to me I will be ready, and I will deal with it,” Gil tells me.

Gil could be a starting pitcher in the major leagues very soon. He will have to work on throwing his curveball and changeup in various counts and not always rely on his fastball. At the higher levels, hitters will be able to catch up to its velocity. I can see Gil in a Major League rotation late next season, but moving to a team that lacks the pitching depth of the Yankees, would definitely improve his chances.