Oct
18
2012

2012 Mets Player Review: Dillon Gee, RHP

An article by John Delcos

PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS: Dillon Gee made a strong first impression with the Mets as a 2010 September call-up when their rotation was in tatters. He made five starts and gave the Mets at least six innings in each and didn’t up more than three earned runs in any. His 2.18 ERA and ability to keep his composure caught the Mets’ eye. When they were beset by injuries in 2011, Gee was brought up and won his first seven decisions and eight of nine. Gee finished 13-6 with a 4.43 ERA to earn himself a spot in the 2012 rotation. He showed guile and grit and an ability to challenge hitters, more with command and movement on his pitches than overpowering stuff. While there was a school of thought 2011 might have been a fluke and to expect a regression, there was also one that suggested he might be the real thing and could build on his initial success as the No. 5 starter. It was the latter belief, in part, as to why the Mets didn’t aggressively pursue and middle-tier veteran starter that offseason.

2012 SEASON REVIEW: Gee made 17 starts this year, 10 fewer than in 2011 before he was shut down in July. After complaining of numbness and a lack of strength in his arm, he underwent season-ending surgery to replace artery damage in his shoulder. Gee struggled out of the gate and wasn’t pitching at his 2011 form when he was injured. He was 6-7 with a 4.10 ERA and 1.25 WHIP before he called it a season. On the positive side, he had a 97-29 strikeouts-to-walks ratio. Gee worked at least into the seventh in nine starts. The Mets gave him three or fewer runs in nine starts, so his record was attributable in large part because of a lack of run support, a malady that struck the whole staff.

LOOKING AT 2013: The surgery was deemed successful, but we won’t know whether his shoulder is at full strength until he begins throwing. Assuming he’s physically able, Gee should enter spring training as the No. 5 starter. That is, of course, assuming the best for Johan Santana and R.A. Dickey, and perhaps the long-shot possibility of Mike Pelfrey being tendered a contract. He would likely be slotted behind hot prospect Matt Harvey. There’s a lot to like in how Gee challenges his hitter and his command. This is a pitcher with more to learn, but appears to be smart and someone who could develop into a reliable starter. If 2010 wasn’t a fluke, the Mets would take 13 victories in a heartbeat.

About the Author: John Delcos

I am an active member of the BBWAA and have covered Major League Baseball in several capacities for over 20 years, including ten in New York working the Mets' and Yankees' beat. I covered the Baltimore Orioles for eight years and the Cleveland Indians before that. I currently serve as an editor and senior staff writer for Mets Merized Online. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos.

7 Comments + Add Comment

hotstreak October 18, 2012 at 8:17 pm

“If 2010 wasn’t a fluke, the Mets would take 13 victories in a heartbeat.”

Lets hope the heart beat is just fine with Gee and the surgery on blood clots proves sucessful.
Tommy2cat October 18, 2012 at 8:23 pm

Gee has demonstrated, at times, the ability to rise to a very competent middle-of-the-rotation starter – certainly better than a 5th starter.

When he’s on top of his game, he reminds me of Bobby Jones. His fastball has life and late movement, his 2-seamer freezes lefties and his change-up completely throws them off. Similarly, he runs his 2-seamer in on righties inducing weak flies and his curveball is very difficult to time.

When he’s not on top of his game, he nibbles around the strike zone, doesn’t change speeds well and forgets to use his off-speed pitches judiciously.

Over time, Gee appears to have the acumen to develop his repertoire and fashion his starts tailor-made to the opposing team that he faces that day. He’s that smart and his stuff is that good. I’d like to see him remain in the rotation next season. Oddly, his surgery last season may contribute to a very healthy arm this season.
- srt October 19, 2012 at 7:54 am
  
  I agree with this assessment of Gee.
  For a 5th starter, we could do a lot worse.
  One of the other pluses he’s got going for him is he very rarely looks rattled out there. Couple guys on, or bases loaded – his demeanor never changes. Completely opposite of what we often saw in Pelfrey when he had a couple of men on base. You could almost see the meltdown coming.
  - Alex68 October 19, 2012 at 8:25 am
    
    SRT, come on, “I agree with this assessment of Gee” Really??? Whatever happen to THIS^^^?? Lol..
taskmaster4450 October 18, 2012 at 9:46 pm

Gee is one of those guys a team needs. He has an idea what he is doing out there and has the stuff to be a winner in the big leagues. 13 wins is a good number for him considering he would miss a few starts being the #5 starter. I like Gee and what he brings to the table. A very cost effective solution for the Mets.
doekie October 19, 2012 at 2:07 am

To me, Gee is a # 5 with potential to become more.
Metsie October 19, 2012 at 12:58 pm

I see a younger, rough around the edges, Rick Reed type in Gee.

Now we may think of that as a 5th Rotation guy but the truth of the matter is you should not set your rotation based on who is best to worst but by the type of pitches they throw.

In his case he is probably better off pitching after a guy like Harvey who throws the heat so Gees slow pitch will have some guys swinging out in front.

So while he might be the 5th best starter on the team pitching 5th in the rotation is probably not the best place to put him.

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	23	18	.561	-
Nationals	23	19	.548	0.5
Phillies	20	23	.465	4.0
Mets	16	24	.400	6.5
Marlins	11	31	.262	12.5

Last updated: 05/18/2013

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