Here is the highlights of a local Texas article written the day Gee was drafted by the Mets:
“UT Arlington junior right hander Dillon Gee became the 12th Maverick player drafted since 2002 when the New York Mets selected him with the 663rd pick in the 21st round on the second day of the 2007 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft. Gee is the fifth UTA player to be selected by the Mets and the first since Matt Mize went in the 30th round in 1999.
Gee (Cleburne, Texas) ends his three-year career at UTA with a record of 15-25 and a 5.16 ERA. He ranks second on the all-time innings pitch list with 298.1, fifth in strikeouts (198) and eighth in appearances (58 ). His 111.2 innings pitched in 2007 ranks fourth on the single-season list, while his 96 strikeouts are tied for third.
The two-time honorable mention all-SLC selection burst onto the scene as a freshman. In just his fourth career start, Gee tossed a complete-game four-hit shutout against then-No. 12 Baylor.
As a sophomore, Gee tied a UTA record by starting 17 games and led the team with six victories. He would toss his second complete-game shutout of his career in a victory over Stephen F. Austin before closing out the regular season with a career-best 11 strikeouts in a nine-inning no decision against Dallas Baptist.
Last season, Gee overcame a slow start to become the ace of the staff. Gee tossed 53.1 innings with 58 strikeouts and only seven walks in his final seven starts. He had three double-digit strikeout performances over that span, including a complete-game three-hit shutout against Northwestern State. He would tie his career-high with 11 strikeouts in his final start against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.”
Gee signed with the Mets and played the 2007 season with Brooklyn. He had an outstanding season, going 3-1, 2.47, 1.06 in 14 games, 11 starts. He also had 56 Ks in 62.0 IP.
In 2008, Gee began the year with St. Lucie (8-6, 3.25), but ended with Binghamton (2-0, 1.33).
Gee won the Sterling Award as the the top Met player for the 2008 St. Lucie team.
In October 2008, Toby Hyde on Dillon Gee:
Gee had a successful run in the Florida State League posting a great strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 5 (4.95). It’s worth pointing out that like Carr, Clyne and Owen, he jumped straight from Brooklyn to St. Lucie and thrived. However, I’m suspicious of pitchers who experience success at the advanced A level without fanning a batter an inning. In July, Gee was throwing 89-91 with his fastball which he spotted reasonably well. I had heard reports of slightly better velo at other times. His second best pitch was a changeup with some nice run. His soft curve was his third pitch. Likely 09 start: AA
February 2009: Baseball America on SP Dillon Gee (Mack’s Mets Prospect # 9)
The Mets drafted Gee in the 21st round in 2007 out of Texas-Arlington, and the 6-foot-1 righthander enjoyed a nice 2008 season before opening more eyes in Puerto Rico. He went 4-0, 2.22 in 48 2/3 innings, finishing third in the circuit in ERA. He struck out 43 and issued 13 walks as he showed a 92-93 mph fastball and a slider with a short break. "I know Ian Kennedy is a bigger prospect, but I liked Gee more in Puerto Rico," an AL scout said. In 2008, Gee was 10-6, 2.92 with 114 strikeouts and 24 walks in 154 1/3 innings as he pitched for high Class A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton. He’s slated to return to Binghamton in 2009.
Mack: Haven’t talked to the Gee’s since Dillon was first assigned to winter ball… there doesn’t seem to be a test this kid doesn’t pass… excellent starting pitching will begin to stack up at the AA level, with a bunch more right behind the at Lucy. Expect Gee to open up at the B-Mets and be a starter for the entire year. After that…
March 2009: From: Elliot Teichman:
Gee has been with the Mets since 2007, when he was 21 years old. He has always had good stuff, and he is starting to slowly get recognize. If he pulls off another minor league year like his two previous, it is almost certain that at this time next year, he will be demanding a lot of attention (possibly as much as Niese). Who is this guy anyway? Well this year he will be 23 years old and more than likely will be starting at AA. This year, Baseball America, in their yearly top ten Mets prospect preview, didn't rank Gee but did say he had the best changeup in the organization. Here are his numbers over the last few seasons:
2007-Brk: 3-1, 14G, 11GS, 62IP, 9 BB, 56 K, 2.47 ERA, 1.06 WHIP
2008-PSL: 8-6, 21G, 21GS, 127.1 IP, 19 BB, 94 K, 3.25 ERA, 1.07 WHIP
2008-Bng: 2-0, 4G, 4GS, 27 IP, 5 BB, 20 K, 1.33 ERA, 0.85 WHIP
2009-Spring: G, 2.0 IP, H, 2K, 0.50 WHIP
The stats that should be jumping off the page are the WHIPs and the BB compared to the K. First off, at every level, he has had an amazing WHIP, including that stazzling 0.85 in AA last year. On top of that he walks so few batters compared to his strikeout rate. For a pitcher that is being praised with his changeup that means he is getting people to swing at it and he has good enough control with his pitches that he can use a changeup effectively and still have a low WHIP. His ERA has also been very good so far as well. Now at the age of 23, I think this year will be very important for him. If he has another good to great year in the minors, then next year he will be tryring to get a pitching spot. If the Mets rotation becomes too crowded next year, and it doesn't look like he will make the team, he could also make good trade bait (because his price could be potentially be high). Overall though, he is another player to pay attention to over the season.
March 2009: Pat Hickey Jr. on: On the pitching side of things, Dillon Gee has looked decent in three appearances, but doesn’t seem ready for the show as of yet. Some more seasoning in Double-A with a stop in Triple-A before his big league debut should do the trick for him. Carlos Muniz also seems like another pitcher that could use a bit more seasoning, but at 28 years old, you wonder if he’ll ever be able to reproduce the stellar numbers he put up in Brooklyn, in Queens.
Last season, Gee overcame a slow start to become the ace of the staff. Gee tossed 53.1 innings with 58 strikeouts and only seven walks in his final seven starts. He had three double-digit strikeout performances over that span, including a complete-game three-hit shutout against Northwestern State. He would tie his career-high with 11 strikeouts in his final start against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.”
Gee signed with the Mets and played the 2007 season with Brooklyn. He had an outstanding season, going 3-1, 2.47, 1.06 in 14 games, 11 starts. He also had 56 Ks in 62.0 IP.
In 2008, Gee began the year with St. Lucie (8-6, 3.25), but ended with Binghamton (2-0, 1.33).
Gee won the Sterling Award as the the top Met player for the 2008 St. Lucie team.
2009 was not kind to Gee. He was off to a decent start (1-4, 4.10, 9 starts, 42-K, 48.1-IP) until he went down with a season ending injury. Even with the injury, Gee was ranked 29th in 2009, in the AAA out percentage leader poll, with a 0.658 0ut%,, 20.1 K%, and only a 7.7 BB% .
Gee’s professional stats over three seasons are: 14-10, 3.03, 1.09.
1-1-10 Forecast: No sick speed or 5- tools here. Just gold old Tom Glavine-like control. And, it works. Gee still charts out as the SP5 in 2012 and he should prove his value again in 2010 for Buffalo.
4-19-10: - Stock Up: Gee has rebounded fantastically this season after being shut down last season due to labrum problems. No one expected him back when ST started, though that’s what he told us would happen in a Q&A we did with him in the off-season. So far, in two starts, he’s 2-0, 0.00, 0.46, and 12-Ks in 13.0-IP.I don’t think Gee is an option for Queens this year, but it would be great if he can be dominant at AAA for a run at the SP5 spot next spring.
5-23-10: - The Bisons won their fourth straight game on Saturday night, 4-1 in the first game of a four-game road trip against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at Coca-Cola Park. Dillon Gee delivered another quality start for the Herd giving up just a run on three hits over 6.2 innings. The lone run came on a Melvin Dorta solo homer in the third frame. Gee improved to 5-1 on the year. Gee figured into the game offensively as well, leading off the third inning with a walk. After advancing to third on a double by Jesus Feliciano, Gee scored the Bisons first run of the game on a Mike Jacobs groundout.
5-24-10: - Dillon Gee – SP – AAA – Obviously, the Mets are looking for some decent starters to get through the first half of the season, and Dillon Gee should be the next one called on from Buffalo. So far this season, he has put up respectable numbers (5-1, 3.86, in 9-ST) and, depending upon the healing schedule of both Jonathan Niese and John Maine, we may seen him sooner than later .
6-25-10: - As we have pointed out in earlier posts this week, there are 25 starting pitchers all trying to be part of the 20 slots open in the rotations of the top four Mets minor league teams. This is not the time to throw a game like Gee did last night: 3.0-IP, 7-ER, 9-H. The good news is he pitched well in May. The bad news… that’s 23-ER in 23.1-IP in June.
6-30-10: - Gee pitched his best AAA outing of the season Tuesday night… 7.0-IP, 1-ER, 3-H, 6-K, 1-BB. His ERA is now down to 5.00 and comes off a June 24th outing where he gave up 7-ER in three innings pitched. The Mets need as many good nights from their limited list of prospects that aren’t injured. This is trade time and Gee could easily be in a package deal. This is now his 16th outing this year in Buffalo.
7-12 from: - http://www.amazinavenue.com/2010/7/12/1564807/mid-term-farm-system-review-part-i - It's been a season of peaks and valleys for Gee. He started the year like a house a'blaze, posting a sub-3 ERA in April and drawing calls for a promotion to the Show. However, by May cracks began to form in his stat line as the home run balls seemed to keep jumping out. By June things fell apart as his once pretty ERA ballooned well above five; at one point he rode an eight game home run-allowed streak. Fortunately things have normalized for Gee in July as he seems to be back in control, once again looking like the future back-of-the-rotation piece for the big club. He is not as good as his one homer-April, but he's also not as bad as his seven homer-May. On the season, Gee's hits, walks and strikeouts per nine innings have basically resembled his career figures which, considering he's made the climb to the very top of the minors, is a very good sign for his future success. His below average home run tendencies will probably always make him a #5/spot starter, though he's certainly coming to the right home ballpark so who knows. This one-time '07 21st rounder has already far exceeded expectations and looks to continue doing so in the majors as his call-up to Queens is really only a matter of time.
8-5-10: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/8/5/1606179/2010-top-20-new-york-mets - Dillon Gee, RHP, Grade C: 4.88 ERA, 123/30 K/BB in 127 innings for Buffalo, 135 hits. Good K/BB ratio, good strikeout rate, I think he's pitched better than the ERA although his home run rate is rather high.
8-8-10: - Gee keeps trying to remind the Mets that he’s ready for his shot in Queens. Last night, he threw 7.i-IP, striking out nine and giving up only 2-ER for his 11th victory of the season for the Bisons.The 24-year old now has 132-K in 134.2-IP.I’m sure he will finish the season in Buffalo, but it would be nice if the Mets rewarded him a September trip to Queens.
9-1-10: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/445049-mets-roster-expansion-keep-your-eyes-peeled-for-these-five-guys - Mets' fans have been aware of Dillon Gee for quite some time. The right-handed starting pitcher has been tossing some hard stuff for a while now. His 4.87 ERA at AAA Buffalo in 26 starts this season might not be impressive, but the guy is a control freak. He has posted a 13-7 record, and in 151.2 innings, he has walked just 36 while striking out 150. When he is on a roll in game, he cruises. This is enough for anyone to be excited to see if his command will carry over to the Major League roster.
9-15-10: - 2010 STERLING AWARD WINNERS - BUFFALO (AAA) OF THE INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE: DILLON GEE (RHP) - Height: 6-1 Weight: 200 Bats: Right Throws: Right - Born: 4/28/86 Resides: Cleburne, TX - Obtained: Mets’ 21st round pick in 2007 Signing Scout: Ray Corbett - Gee was previously honored in 2008 as the Sterling Award winner for St. Lucie before his record setting season with Buffalo in 2010. The righthander struck out a Buffalo franchise record and International League leading 165 batters while going 13-8 with a 4.96 (89 earned runs / 161.1 innings pitched) ERA . The 24-year-old also ranked second in the IL in Wins.
10-28-10 from: - http://www.metstoday.com/5203/2010-mets-evaluations/2010-analysis-dillon-gee - 2011 Projection - I like Gee’s competitiveness and guile. I also love the fact he wears an American-made Akadema glove. I didn’t like his walk rate in his 5 MLB games, and I’m not convinced his pedestrian stuff is enough to retire big-league hitters consistently. But if he can keep his walks down at this level – something he did at lower levels – he could, at best, evolve into a Scott Baker or Nick Blackburn type of pitcher (for Mets fans, Bobby Jones is a good example), which would be a more than welcome addition to the Mets’ staff in 2011. I’ll go on a limb and say that there’s a good chance he pitches as well as Brian Bannister would have in Flushing, had he not been sent to Kansas City. The truth is, the Mets don’t have much choice but to hope that he can – a quick look at the farm system is showing no one else ready to make the leap, and the free-agent pile isn’t likely to render anything better than a journeyman rotation filler.
12-3-10 interview:
Mack: Good morning everybody. We're talking to today to one of the newest member of the New York Mets, pitcher Dillon Gee. Good morning Dillon, how was your Thanksgiving and didn't you have an anniversary recently?
Gee: Hey Mack, my thanksgiving was really good and yes, my wife and I did just celebrate our first year of marriage in November!
Mack: Dillon, I start these interviews with the kids asking them what it was like on the day they were drafted. In your case, let's move on to that wonderful day that you pitched in your first major league game for the New York Mets. Tell us about it.
Gee: That day is tough to put into words. It's something I dreamed about since I was a little kid. To get the news that I was called up was one of the proudest moments of my life then on top of that to find out I was going to start two days later just spurred a whirlwind of emotions. It's something I will never forget and I couldn't have imagined it going any better!
Mack: Okay.... you walk out to the mound, throw your warmups, the catcher tosses the ball around, it eventually comes back to you, the ump gives the call to play ball and ... well... you take that first pitch from here...
Gee: Well I just kept telling myself to just throw a strike on the first pitch. As soon as it left my hand it was like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. It was a strike and I told myself it's just another game. You have done this a million times. Just focus and execute every pitch. From there on out I didn't notice anything but the glove!
Mack: That's fantastic. Dillon, this is both an exciting and changing time for both Mets players and fans. I've watched for years thousands of players try to get a starting gig in Queens and the good news is the first one is over for you. Has “graduation” to the majors changed your off-season routine at all?
Gee: There is always some changes and tinkering to workouts but for the most part I feel like what I have been doing so far has worked so why change it up a whole lot. The rehab team down in Florida added some good things to my program that really enabled me to come back strong from my shoulder injury!
Mack: I'm sure you'll be reporting with the pitchers/catchers in February... will your father (say hello for me...) be down there then or are you attending solo?
Gee: I will be heading down to Port St Lucie Feb 1st with my wife. I'm not sure yet if my family is gonna make it out to visit or not.
Mack: Well, I can see the smile on your face when you turn right into the complex area so you can park your car with the Mets team, instead of taking the second right into the minor league complex. Last question Dillon... there's a lot of fans on my site that have followed you throughout your climb to the majors and I wondered if you had anything you wanted to share with them?
Gee: Thank you for the continued support and believing in me. It's a tough road with lots of ups and downs and it helps knowing people are behind you.
Mack: Dillon, you're a class act. I probably won't make it down for ST this year, so best of everything in the season.
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