4/13/09

Prospect Bio: MMP #7 - SP Dillion Gee




Dillon Gee P R R 6-1 195 4-28-86 Univ. of Texas (Arlington)

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.

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