Yankees’ Boone beams as Luis Gil’s breakout year earns top MLB rookie honor

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New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil claimed the American League Rookie of the Year award in a hotly contested race, narrowly defeating Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser by a 106-101 vote margin.

The voting, unveiled on MLB Network, produced one of the closest outcomes in recent memory. Luis Gil secured 106 points, narrowly edging Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser, who tallied 101 points. The Yankees pitcher earned 15 first-place votes, compared to Cowser’s 13, while Yankees rookie catcher Austin Wells finished third with 17 points. The five-point difference marked the tightest AL Rookie of the Year race since 2003 when Angel Berroa of the Royals edged Yankees star Hideki Matsui by just four points.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Luis Gil’s resilience and growth. Boone highlighted the pitcher’s journey from Tommy John surgery to becoming a key rotation piece, emphasizing the dedication Luis Gil demonstrated during spring training and throughout the season.

“Congratulations to Luis on an amazing season,” Boone’s statement reads. “He worked so hard to put himself in a strong position heading into Spring Training after coming back from Tommy John surgery. Without a guarantee of a Major League spot, he absolutely kicked in the door this spring and went on to have a phenomenal rookie season.”

Luis Gil earned his rotation spot with standout spring training performances and carried that momentum into the regular season. Over 151.2 innings, the right-hander posted a 3.50 ERA with 171 strikeouts and a 1.19 WHIP, showcasing improved control that had been a concern earlier in his career.

The rookie’s season wasn’t without challenges. Fatigue and back issues late in the year tested his durability, but his overall performance underscored his potential and cemented his role as a rising talent in the American League. For Luis Gil and the Yankees, the award represents both personal triumph and a promising glimpse into the future.

Luis Gil’s rookie campaign truly phenomenal

Luis Gil’s path to claiming the 2024 American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award was as improbable as it was impressive. Beginning the season in Minor League camp after a spring training demotion, the right-hander fought his way back to the Yankees’ rotation when injuries opened the door, ultimately capitalizing on the opportunity.

Speaking via an interpreter, Luis Gil expressed heartfelt gratitude for the recognition, thanking his family, teammates, and the Yankees organization for their unwavering support. He credited the club’s faith in his abilities as a driving force behind his success.

“It means so much to me,” he said. “I’m so happy about being able to win this award. Everybody in my corner, they’re so happy for me right now and so proud. I’m also proud of the opportunity that was given to me by the team. It turned out to be a great season for me, a great experience.”

Luis Gil’s achievement holds historical significance as well. He is the first Yankees pitcher to win the award since Dave Righetti in 1981 and the first overall Yankees player to claim the honor since Aaron Judge in 2017. This milestone adds to the Yankees’ league-leading tally of ten Rookie of the Year winners, underscoring the franchise’s ability to develop young talent.

Luis Gil’s rookie season cemented his place as a rising star in the Yankees’ rotation, delivering standout numbers across 29 starts. The right-hander posted a 15-7 record with a 3.50 ERA, logging 151 2/3 innings of effective work. He limited opponents to 104 hits and 77 walks while striking out 171 batters, holding hitters to a .189/.297/.345 slash line.

Gil’s metrics ranked among the American League’s best for pitchers with at least 150 innings. He led the league in opponents’ batting average and ranked second in hits per nine innings (6.17). He also finished fourth in strikeouts per nine innings (10.15), sixth in opponents’ slugging percentage, and tenth in opponents’ OPS (.643). Among AL rookies, Gil led in wins and shared the strikeout lead, underscoring his dominance on the mound.

His breakthrough began unexpectedly during spring training on March 11. Recalled from Minor League camp to replace an injured Gerrit Cole, Gil made an unforgettable impression against the Phillies in Clearwater. Over 3 2/3 innings, he allowed just one hit and struck out eight, signaling his readiness for a larger role.

Reflecting on his first big-league season, Luis Gil said his initial focus was on making the roster, but as his performance evolved, the possibility of winning Rookie of the Year became a motivating factor. His early-season impact was especially crucial during Cole’s absence. Through his first 14 starts, Gil dominated with a 9-1 record and a 2.03 ERA, while holding opponents to a staggering .142 batting average and .495 OPS.

“Coming into Spring Training, the mindset was really focused on doing my job on the field and trying to help the team as much as possible,” he said. “Eventually this opportunity started sounding as something that could happen. I’m very happy with the results.”

Luis Gil’s consistency and ability to deliver in high-pressure moments made him a key piece of the Yankees’ rotation and a deserving recipient of the league’s top rookie honor.

His remarkable rookie season was defined by his consistency and ability to shut down opposing lineups. He held teams to three or fewer runs in 22 of his 29 starts, including 18 outings with two or fewer runs and 17 where he allowed one or none. Luis Gil’s 17 starts of one or fewer runs tied for the Major League lead with Detroit’s Tarik Skubal and Chicago’s Garrett Crochet. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it ranks second in history since 1893, behind only George McQuillan of the 1908 Phillies, who had 21 such starts after the current mound distance was established.

Luis Gil’s MLB journey began with promise in 2021 when he posted a 3.07 ERA over six starts. However, a partial UCL tear limited his 2022 season. His 2024 campaign represented a full-circle comeback, highlighted by four dazzling one-hit performances of at least six innings against Houston, Seattle, Minnesota, and the Cubs. His dominance in May earned him dual honors as the American League Pitcher and Rookie of the Month, with a perfect 6-0 record and a sparkling 0.70 ERA.

One of the season’s standout moments came on May 18, when Luis Gil recorded 14 strikeouts against the White Sox, surpassing Orlando Hernández’s Yankees rookie record of 13. The feat was even more memorable with “El Duque” in attendance, who later posed for photos with Gil and expressed confidence in his future.

After winning the American League Rookie of the Year award, Luis Gil reflected on the honor’s significance for his hometown of Azua in the Dominican Republic, calling it a proud moment for his community. Looking ahead to 2025, the right-hander emphasized his focus on improving his control and command to build on an already promising career.

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