The first week of the MLB season is now in the books and the Blue Jays have started with a 3-4 record. Looking at the man at the top of the line-up, Kevin Pillar has had an okay start to his season. After seven games, he has 6 hits and a batting average of .210. Although these may not be ideal numbers for a lead-off batter, the season is still early. He has only struck out four times and gives the team a much-desired speed threat to start each game.
Drafted 979th overall by Toronto in 2011, he has become a player with abilities and skills well surpassing what could have been hoped for. Arguably a big steal from this draft class, Pillar has made it to the MLB level and provides fans with exciting moments to see. The nickname ‘Superman’ is an appropriate one and he has already provided a highlight-worthy catch this season; more are sure to come. His tremendous abilities with his glove earned him the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award last season. He is capable of being a gold-glove-calibre centre fielder for this team for the foreseeable future.
Looking back at his minor league career, he progressed to the major league level in under three seasons. In 411 career minor league games, he posted a .322 average with 123 doubles, 244 RBIs, 109 stolen bases, and an OPS of .841. These statistics further demonstrate that the Blue Jays certainly found a diamond in the rough at the 2011 draft.
Before being drafted and turning pro, Pillar attended CSU Dominguez Hills College, where in 2010 he established the NCAA division 2 record of a 54 game hit streak. He also has the all-time school record batting average at .367.
His MLB career is still in its early days, having only played 255 games. In this time, he has recorded 65 extra base hits and last season managed 163. His .278 average, 12 HRs, 56 RBIs, and 31 doubles are just the tip of the iceberg for what he can manage at the plate. His speed is also a critical weapon in a line-up that is built with power. 25 stolen bases last year was good for fifth in the American League and I anticipate that number growing in 2016.
Prediction: .282 average, 18 HRs, 64 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases.
You can follow Kevin Pillar on Twitter @KPILLAR4, along with myself @GHam614 and Super Two Sports @SuperTwo_Sports. Thank you again to all our readers and enjoy the rest of April baseball.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
