Luis Gil’s former coach vividly recalls the moment he knew Gil was exceptional. It was at a tournament in Baní, Dominican Republic, in early 2013. At 14, Gil was a skinny shortstop who had transitioned to pitching, as hitting wasn’t his strength. Scheduled to pitch the next game, his coach told him he wouldn’t start due to control issues. Gil was furious.

“He said, ‘Damn! It’s my turn!’” recounted Francisco Díaz, his coach, laughing in Spanish. “I told him, ‘Relax, you’ll pitch plenty.’ He always had that fire, that desire to throw hard. That spirit, that competitiveness, like, ‘It’s me, it’s me, it’s me.’”

Díaz, a buscón—part-agent, part-trainer for Dominican teenagers aiming for the majors—shared this story over the phone from the Dominican Republic. In the background, players practiced, hoping to follow in Gil’s footsteps.

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Over a decade after that tournament, Gil is on track to pitch more than ever as a 26-year-old rookie for the New York Yankees. From May 1 to June 14, he was arguably the best pitcher in the American League, posting a 1.14 ERA with 61 strikeouts over nine starts, despite early-season command issues.

Recently, however, he’s shown signs of fatigue, giving up 12 runs over 5⅔ innings in his last two games, as his workload increases. Gil has never pitched more than 108⅔ innings in a season as a professional, and he’s already logged 85⅔ innings this year after pitching just four innings in 2023 following Tommy John surgery.

When asked if he felt tired, Yankees manager Aaron Boone responded, “We’ll see. He seems to be in a really good physical place.” Gil himself said, “No, I really don’t feel tired. I’m healthy and feel very strong.”

Gil was poised to start the All-Star Game but has seen his ERA rise as his innings count increases. Initially set to start the season in the minors, he got his chance when Yankees ace Gerrit Cole was sidelined with elbow discomfort. Gil impressed in spring training, facing the Philadelphia Phillies’ A-lineup and striking out eight over 3⅔ scoreless innings.

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Gil’s fastball, which approaches triple digits, and sharp slider have always stood out. His potential led the Yankees to trade for him in March 2018. He started his major league career with 15⅔ scoreless innings in 2021 but struggled in his final outings, highlighting his need for improved command and a reliable third pitch.

Working on his changeup became a focus during his rehab from elbow surgery. Gil traveled daily from Azua to San Juan to train, determined to improve. This season, he’s used his changeup effectively, throwing it 29.3% of the time at an average of 91.6 mph, with opponents batting just .188 against it.

Cole, who has mentored Gil, praised his use of the changeup to complement his fastball and slider. Gil showcased his three-pitch mix in a mid-May game against the White Sox, striking out 14 over six innings, and made in-game adjustments during a start against the Rays.

However, recent struggles have tested Gil as he navigates a full season’s demands. His velocity remains strong, but command issues have resurfaced, particularly with his fastball. Boone attributes these struggles to the natural ups and downs of a long season.

Gil’s focus and maturity have grown, influenced by his recovery and the birth of his daughter, Samantha. Signed by the Twins at 16 for $90,000, he wasn’t initially seen as a top-tier prospect. But Díaz, who remains in regular contact with Gil, always saw his potential.

“If Gil is healthy and controls his pitches, nobody is better than Luis Gil,” Díaz said. “I told someone that Gil is better than Castillo. He’s better.”

Success in the majors requires more than talent—it demands constant adjustments and durability. Gil is learning these lessons on the brightest stage, for a team with high expectations.

“He’s a young pitcher who hasn’t pitched for a couple of years,” Boone said. “There are bumps along the way.”

The Yankees haven’t indicated whether they’ll limit Gil’s innings, but with Clarke Schmidt on the injured list, they currently lack other options. Blake, the Yankees’ pitching coach, said they’re monitoring Gil’s workload closely, considering various factors to make informed decisions.

For six weeks, Gil provided an unexpected boost to the Yankees’ rotation. Now, with the team struggling, they need him to regain his form to help turn things around.

“No one expected it to be easy,” Boone said.