Right-hander Luis Medina named LBPRC Pitcher of the Year

Luis Medina is a prospect on the rise entering the 2021 season.|Art or Photo Credit: USA Today

One of the top arms in the New York Yankees farm system is already making waves this offseason.

Luis Medina, the 21-year-old right-handed prospect currently ranked 11th in the system by MLB.com, was named Pitcher of the Year after his dazzling run with Indios de Mayagüez in Puerto Rico’s Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (LBPRC) this winter.

Medina made four starts for Mayagüez and allowed just one run over 16 2/3 innings for a 0.54 ERA. The young righty also struck out a remarkable 32 batters while walking just six.

“With lightning-fast arm speed and little effort, Medina sits at 96-99 mph and tops out at 102 with some natural cut on his fastball,” Medina’s scouting report reads. “His low-80s curveball is a plus-plus hammer at its best and can be more unhittable than his heater.”

With so much arm talent and immense velocity, Medina has the tools to be a dominant force on the mound, but his command remains the biggest area of improvement as he enters his fifth season as a professional.

In 2019, Medina walked 70 batters over 103 2/3 innings with Tampa and Charleston, going 1-8 with a 5.47 ERA. The Dominican native may still need some polish before getting a chance to make an impact in the big leagues, but there’s no doubt talent evaluators have taken notice of his skills.

While the LBPRC may not have the kind of hitting talent the Majors does, Medina’s improved command in his four starts with Mayagüez could be an indication that he’s turned a corner with his accuracy.

The Yankees pitching staff still has a number of question marks left unanswered as the new year begins, and while he’s still likely a year away, Medina is showing why he’s such an exciting talent in the organization.

For more Yankees news and developments, be sure to tune in to the latest Yankees Hot Stove airing on YES this Thursday at 6:30 p.m.