Luis Gil Made It Happen!

Luis Gil, the Yankees’ 26-year-old right-hander, made headlines Monday night by snagging the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year award, adding yet another feather to the Yankees’ cap—or perhaps another notch in their pinstripes. He becomes the 10th Yankee to earn this prestigious honor, solidifying the Bronx Bombers as the AL’s Rookie of the Year dynasty. Only the Los Angeles Dodgers (18 winners) can top that number, but hey, we’ll let the NL have something to brag about.

The race wasn’t without drama. Gil narrowly edged out Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser in what felt like a baseball reality show finale. With 106 points to Cowser’s 101, Gil clinched the prize by just five points. It was a nail-biter, folks—Cowser earned 13 first-place votes and 11 second-place votes, but Gil outpitched him in the popularity department with 15 first-place and 10 second-place votes. It was as close as a ninth-inning, bases-loaded showdown, but in the end, the kid from the Bronx took the crown.

Gil now joins an exclusive Yankees club that includes legends like Aaron Judge, Derek Jeter, and Thurman Munson. That’s not just good company—it’s Hall of Fame waiting-room company. His season wasn’t perfect—call it a roller coaster with more ups than downs—but it proved one thing: this kid is here to stay. And while the BBWAA voting doesn’t factor in postseason performance, it’s worth noting that Gil was the starting pitcher in the Yankees’ only win during the 2024 World Series. (Cue polite cough about the rest of that series.)

But Gil’s journey to Rookie of the Year wasn’t exactly a straight shot. He first appeared on the MLB stage in 2021, throwing 29 1/3 innings over six starts. Thanks to the magic of rookie eligibility rules (and a bit of luck), he stayed under the 50-inning limit and didn’t stick on the active roster long enough to burn through his status. Fast forward to 2022, when a torn UCL derailed his season before it even began, sidelining him through 2023. It wasn’t until this spring that he finally landed a rotation spot, sliding into the No. 5 slot left vacant by Gerrit Cole’s early-season elbow troubles. Talk about making the most of an opening.

From there, Gil didn’t just run with the opportunity—he sprinted, leaped, and did a celebratory bat flip for good measure. Interestingly, Gil’s victory marks the first time a Yankees pitcher has taken home Rookie of the Year honors since Dave Righetti in 1981. That was back in MLB’s strike-shortened season, when Rags posted a jaw-dropping 2.05 ERA in 15 starts and helped the Yankees to the World Series (where, unfortunately, the Dodgers had the last laugh). While Gil’s 2024 campaign wasn’t quite that historic, it was enough to end the Yankees’ 43-year Rookie drought for pitchers. Somewhere, Righetti is probably tipping his cap.

The Yankees actually had two finalists for the award this year: Gil and catcher Austin Wells. Ultimately, it was Gil who emerged victorious, bringing home the team’s first Rookie of the Year trophy since Aaron Judge in 2017. So, here’s to Luis Gil: from rehab stints to the Rookie of the Year podium, he’s proved that resilience and talent are a winning combo. And if his name wasn’t already on your radar, it better be now—because this kid isn’t just a rookie anymore. He’s a star in the making.