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KC Royals: Why Dillon Gee Will Make The Rotation

By Phillip Irwin

Apr 11, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Dillon Gee (35) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Dillon Gee (35) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The KC Royals likely have their first three starters set. With questions on the back end, does Dillon Gee have a shot at starting?

The KC Royals’ inability to work deep into games was consistently a problem last year. Luckily, the bullpen was extremely deep and helped to pick up the slack when the starter was unable to work into the later frames. That formula is not a long term solution for success. Dayton Moore has to work his magic powers to solidify the Royals rotation and help the team and bullpen maintain their recent success.

Edinson Volquez and Yordano Ventura are two guys you can hopefully count on to, at the very least, give you innings of productive pitching. I am a big fan of the Ian Kennedy signing. He is no ace, but he is a veteran pitcher who can keep you in games and has the skill set to fool hitters. His ability to pitch deep into games is another reason the Royals signed him.

The back end of the rotation is where things gets interesting. Chris Young and Kris Medlen both have serious injury concerns. Young has hardly completed a major league season without injury during his long career. Medlen has undergone two Tommy John surgeries during his career. Injuries are impossible to predict, but the smart money would be on Medlen or Young to get injured in 2016.

This is why Dayton Moore signed Dillon Gee to a minor league deal. You always need depth in professional sports. If the Royals didn’t have depth when Alex Gordon got injured who knows what would have happened. I think there is more to the Gee signing than simply depth. I think that Gee may make a very strong push to be in the Royals rotation. First let’s get to know Gee and perhaps reveal why I believe in him.

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Dillon Gee was selected in the 21st round of the 2007 draft by the New York Mets. Injuries plagued Gee throughout his early career. He still managed to show flashes of brilliance. In 2011, Dillon Gee started 7-0 which was one victory short of the all-time Mets’ record to start a season. That record is held by Mets’ great, Dwight Gooden.

In 2013, Gee won 12 games and pitched 199 inning with 3.62 ERA. He also managed a respectable 1.28 WHIP while amassing 142 strike outs. Those are impressive numbers for a guy on a minor league deal. The question is which Dillon Gee are the Royals are getting?

In 2015, Dillon Gee was pushed into the bullpen because of the outstanding pitchers the Mets possessed. Yet, Zach Wheeler’s injury opened a spot for Gee. Gee began the season in the rotation, but would spend time on the DL and was replaced by Noah Syndergaard.

When Gee returned, the Mets announced they would use the “infamous” six man rotation. After just one bad start, the Mets decided to put him in the bullpen. Frustrated with his organization Gee was quoted by New York Mets reporter saying:

"“I’m almost at the point now where I just don’t even care anymore,” Gee said. “I mean, I’m kind of just over it all.”"

The knee-jerk reaction is to immediately take the side of the organization. If you ask me, what the Mets did to Gee was pretty low. I mean, yes this is a business and there is no place for emotions or sentimentality, but they could have given him more time. That didn’t happen and shortly afterword, Gee and the Mets cut ties which in the end may have been for the best.

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His injury history and bad-blood with the Mets are in the past and  Gee is with the Royals now. He has had plenty of time in the bullpen to recuperate and I am positive Gee is motivated to ‘stick it’ to the Mets and every other MLB team.

He wants to show them he can still be the quality pitcher he has shown to be in the past. There is no place I would rather have Dillon Gee than in Kansas City. I believe Gee will make the Royals rotation by June or July. Hopefully, he will become a valuable piece for the Royals.

Next: Will Dillon Gee Crack This List?

Please leave a comment and give us your opinion. Do you think Gee will make it into the rotation or is he more of a bullpen arm for the Royals? We’d love to hear what you think.

All stats provided by www.baseball-reference.com and Wikipedia

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