TAMPA — Lewis Gil was optioned out of camp on March 3, a deal that made sense given his potential for slow growth following Tommy John surgery.
But a lot has changed over the past two weeks, with Gerrit Cole’s injury opening up a rotation spot and Gill showing some of the most viable players in Yankees camp.
The 25-year-old right-hander has been outstanding in his second straight appearance, running through the Blue Jays’ lineup on Saturday just as he did with the Phillies’ lineup on Tuesday. Coach Aaron Boone called the start “probably the best performance of the spring by anyone.”
Through four games and two starts in the Grapefruit League, Gill allowed three runs (2.31 ERA), struck out 18, and walked four in 11/3 innings.
Opposing batters are batting .125 against Gill, Boone said, and Gill is “really in the conversation” as the No. 5 starting pitcher.
“It’s really good to see him have the confidence to be able to throw second for strikes, which makes him elite,” Boone said after Gill allowed a hit and a walk while striking out four for three at bats. His heater can be effective.” He pitched a scoreless ¹/3 inning win against the Blue Jays at Steinbrenner Field.
Gil may have lacked the outrageous factor he showed against the Phillies, where he had eight strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings, but his fastball reached 99.1 mph and his slider and new changes Up always kept legitimate Toronto hitters off balance.
In the first inning, Bo Bichette swung through two changeups and struck out a pitch that Gill didn’t have much feel for before the surgery.
Kevin Kiermaier also missed his last strike changeup. Cavan Biggio chased a slider and got a strikeout.
Gill’s final pitch of the third inning was a 98.9 mph heater that blew Bichette twice. Gill’s action ended with his back to the bat, and he took a moment against the center field wall to celebrate the strikeout.
The Yankees will be cautious about developing a pitcher who debuted with high expectations in 2021 and started one game the following season before needing Tommy John surgery.
Gill returned to the mound last year with Low-A Tampa, making a few appearances in September.
Gill pitched 56 pitches Saturday, but “we’ll see” if he can stretch enough to handle a full workload when the season starts, Boone said.
His competition includes starters with major league experience (Cody Poteet and Luke Weaver) as well as several prospects (Will Warren and Clayton Beater, who are not on the 40-man roster). .
“We feel like we have a lot of different options to consider, and that’s a good thing,” general manager Brian Cashman said. “A number of players have pitched well, whether it’s what Gil has shown recently, and we already know what he’s been doing before his Tommy John surgery and we know what he’s capable of. I know. Just like Warren continues to do, Beater had a good camp and showed off his production in his first major league camp here. Poteet did a good job. Luke Weaver was there. , that’s what they did.
“I think we’re going to have a lot of conversations, at least about all of those guys.”
Gill said his mindset hasn’t changed throughout camp, even though his status among the Yankees’ starting pitchers has skyrocketed.
“I don’t make those decisions,” Gil said through tournament interpreter Marlon Abreu. “If given the chance, [to be the fifth starter], I’ll be there. ”
