Bats/Throws: R/R
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 195 lbs
Acquired: 21st Rd ’07 (UT Arlington)
Born: 4/28/86
Why Ranked Here: This ranking is similar to a value bet at a pot in hold ‘em. Unlike Rustich behind him, Gee has been healthy. Kunz and Parnell are likelier to be bullpen arms whereas Gee still has a chance to start which delivers higher value. All four pitchers ranked above Gee offer something he doesn’t. So what does the 21st round pick from 2007 offer? Gee throws strikes. He starts with a fastball that was fringy average when I saw him in the FSL, at 89-91 mph, but has been clocked higher at other times and that plays up thanks to strong command. Gee’s second pitch is a changeup with good armspeed for deception and armside run. His curve was his third offering.
2008: Gee left the Florida State League third in WHIP (1.07) and fifth in ERA.
Dr. Pangloss Says: Gee has a chance to stick at the back-end of the Mets rotation in the next few years.
On the Flipside: Gee’s strikeout rate in the FSL was merely pedestrian. This is a major concern and raises red flags about any potential MLB career.
Projected 2009 Start: AA Binghamton. He should finish the year with the AAA Bisons.
| ERA | G/GS | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | BB/9 | SO/9 | SO/BB | GO/AO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 3.25 | 21/21 | 127.1 | 117 | 49 | 46 | 6 | 19 | 94 | 1.35 | 6.66 | 4.95 | 0.86 |
| AA | 1.33 | 4/4 | 27.0 | 18 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 1.67 | 6.67 | 4.00 | 0.97 |
| PWL | 2.22 | 10/10 | 48.2 | 43 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 13 | 43 | 2.43 | 8.03 | 3.31 | 1.40 |
Brian Bannister Part 2?
This is why I love these types of ranking because it inevitably sparks debate, which is fun.
I hear you, Toby, on the value of starter vs. reliever, but still would have ranked Parnell ahead of Francisco Pena and Gee.
While Parnell’s eventual spot may be a reliever, he still cannot be totally ruled out as a starter. He’s showed flashes as a starter last year.
Gee’s strikeout rate is alarming on the other hand are problematic. The Brian Bannister comparison’s are accurate. Gee may find early success, but once hitters make the adjustments in the majors he’s likely to get rocked like Bannister. Very few prospects with fringy stuff are anything more than a swing man. Sure there’s Maddux, but he had a better fastball in his heydey. There’s Paul Byrd, but still.
I like it as this. Who has the higher potential and the higher probability of obtaining that. I saw it’s Parnell to be honest.
But this is why I love these debates. I can’t wait to see where you ranked Pena, because that one blows my mind.
I have to say, going back to our debate of a couple of days ago, I have to agree with Toby on Gee being ahead of Parnell, notwithstanding Parnell’s better “stuff”. My biggest concern with Gee has to be the K rate — in fact, when I made a post in the earlier part of the year as to how I liked Gee, I think Toby’s response was more cautionary because of the K rate — but he proved this year to be consistent, have very good control, and an impressive k/BB rate. If he could hang in the 92-23 range, I think he will have a reasonably decent career, whether with the Mets or somewhere else if used as a trading chip.
That being said, I too am a bit surprised at the Pena ranking being as high as he is going to end up, although would have to think long and hard as to where I think he really belongs.
Yeah, the Pena ranking is a head-scratcher.
1. While his numbers improved (especially extra base hits), he still hasn’t shown enough polish or potential for a Top 10 ranking ahead of some of the other Mets prospects in my opinion.
2. His calling card when he signed was his defense, but most reports I have read state that his defense has not progressed as most expected.
3. His weight continues to be an issue.
Now granted Pena has been rushed. I have criticized the way Pena has been handled because there is no way he belonged where he was the last 2 years. Perhaps starting slower would have been best for him in the long run. Who knows.
I still say that no matter how smart a 1st grader is you don’t promote him all the way to high school. He needs to learn the basic first, master them and then get promoted as he merits. Same concept should be utilized in the minors. This concept of throwing them out there in a league above their heads and hope he “holds his own” and that “it will make him a better player in the long run” is musguided because failure could lead to lack of confidence (which hurts in the long run) and an inability to master the basics.
Regardless, you have to tip your hat to the Mets scouting department, because over the last few years they’ve been able to find value picks in the later rounds. I still don’t like how they draft in the middle rounds like Rounds 3-10, where I think they need to be more aggressive and go above slot, but I like their 1st Round selections and late rounds selections.
Plus, you can’t complain about international scouting with Martinez, Flores, Marte, Mejia, Puello, Rodriguez (even though he was drafted), Aderlin Rodriguez and Pena. All 8 will be on this in the mid to top portion of this list next year.
Great job on this series of posts, Toby.
Agreed — great job on this series of posts!
Toby — all “5 pitchers” rated ahead of him? I only have four — Neise, Holt, Meija and Moviel, with the other 5 spots being occupied by F-Mart, Flores, Marte, Havens and Pena. Am I missing something?
I think Toby is ranking Bill Pulsipher at #8.
Just kidding, Toby.
Hey Toby, when the countdown is finished, do you think you could let us know where you would have slotted the youngsters that went to Seattle in the Putz deal had it not happened? I think it’s just Carp, Cleto, Carerra, and Vargas (assuming Vargas still would have been considered for these rankings). I just think it would be interesting to see, since nothing else has changed between now and then that would affect where they would have been ranked. Thanks. Oh, and great work on the countdown. It’s been outstanding.
Yeah. That’s a good idea for a followup. I will do a post on that after I finish this series.
And thank you for the kind words all.
I think this is a fair spot in the ranking. His ceiling is low but there’s little more that he has to develop before he’s reached that ceiling.
Kunz still needs to get left-handed batters out and Parnell needs to throw strikes.