Michael Dubee

MICHAEL DUBEE
RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: January 12, 1986
Height: 6′ 3″
Weight: 185
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 18th Round, 547th Overall, 2006
How Acquired: Trade (for Andy Phillips)
College: Northwest Florida State College
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

The Pirates obtained Dubee from the White Sox early in the 2009 season in exchange for Andy Phillips.  The Chisox had obtained Dubee from the Phillies for Tadahito Iguchi.  According to Baseball America at the time of the trade, Dubee’s out pitch was a curve and he threw a fastball that “touched” 94 and a change.  Since the trade he’s thrown mainly in the upper 80s, topping out at 90-91.  That’s an example of how you have to be wary of scouting reports that refer to velocity unless they specify that a pitcher’s fastball “sits at” at a particular velocity.  Otherwise, you’re often getting peak velocity that a pitcher may hit only rarely.  Dubee hadn’t done anything of note prior to the trade, pitching in swing roles.  The Pirates moved him to relief and he began pitching much better.  To the consternation of some fans, though, they’ve clearly never considered him a prospect.

2006
R:  0-1-0, 1.29 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 7 IP, 0.0 BB/9, 1.3 K/9
A-:  1-2-0, 4.82 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, 37.1 IP, 3.6 BB/9, 6.5 K/9

Dubee struggled as a starter in his debut in short season ball, as opponents batted .327 against him.

2007
A (Phi):  4-4-1, 3.88 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 55.2 IP, 3.6 BB/9, 8.7 K/9
A (CWS):  3-0-0, 4.09 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 33 IP, 3.5 BB/9, 9.5 K/9

Prior to being traded to the White Sox, Dubee pitched in relief in low A.  After the trade Dubee mostly started in low A for the Sox.

2008
A+:  5-7-1, 4.37 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 103 IP, 3.2 BB/9, 7.9 K/9 

Dubee continued to put up only fair numbers as a swing man in high A.

2009
A+ (CWS):  0-1-0, 6.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 3 IP, 0.0 BB/9, 3.0 K/9
A+ (Pgh):  2-0-6, 1.05 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 34.1 IP, 0.8 BB/9, 13.6 K/9
AA (Pgh):  3-0-1, 2.91 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 34 IP, 2.6 BB/9, 7.4 K/9

The Sox sent him back to high A initially, then traded him after two games.  After the trade, now pitching strictly in relief for Lynchburg, Dubee was untouchable, with outlandish walk and K numbers.  He moved up to Altoona as part of wave of promotions in late June.  He had more trouble there, as hitters were better able to lay off curveballs off the plate.  When he had to get fastballs over, he sometimes got hit hard.  Hitters batted .277 against him, but he still managed a good ERA.  He was eligible for the Rule 5 draft after the season, but wasn’t selected.

2010
AA:  6-2-5, 2.24 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 76.1 IP, 2.2 BB/9, 8.0 K/9
AAA:  0-0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 1 IP, 18.00 BB/9, 0.0 K/9 

Went back to Altoona and pitched very well all year, but except for one game as a fill-in, didn’t make it to AAA.

2011
AA:  2-6-6, 3.27 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 63.1 IP, 2.3 BB/9, 7.1 K/9
AAA:  0-1-0, 9.53 ERA, 2.29 WHIP, 5.2 IP, 7.9 BB/9, 4.8 K/9 

The Pirates sent Dubee back to Altoona yet again and he didn’t pitch as well.  Opponents hit .293 against him, although he kept his ERA down to 3.27.  It helped that he allowed only two HRs.  Dubee moved up to Indianapolis briefly in June, but pitched poorly in four games.  He ended the season on the disabled list.

Dubee has been eligible for the Rule 5 draft twice and will be again this off-season.  It’s clear that neither the Pirates nor anybody else believes that his stuff is good enough for him to succeed in the majors.  He won’t be eligible for minor league free agency for another year, so it’s quite possible the Pirates could send him back to Altoona again.  That’d probably be pretty frustrating.

STATS
Baseball Reference–Minors
Fangraphs
MiLB.com
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2012: Minor League Contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $125,000
MiLB Debut: 2006
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2012
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 8, 2004: Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 20th round, 599th overall pick.
June 8, 2005: Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 32nd round, 952nd overall pick.
June 7, 2006: Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 18th round, 547th overall pick; signed on June 26.
July 27, 2007: Acquired by the Chicago White Sox from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Tadahito Iguchi.
May 16, 2009: Acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Andy Phillips.