Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kevin Pillar

How Kevin Pillar built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Kevin Pillar is a professional baseball outfielder currently playing for the Texas Rangers in MLB. Throughout his career, he has played for multiple teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, and Los Angeles Angels. Pillar is known for his defensive abilities and has been a consistent presence in MLB for several years.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2007: First straight steal of home since Aaron Hill

In Toronto's 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees on March 31, 2018, Pillar became the first Blue Jay to steal three bases in one inning. It was also the team's first successful straight steal of home since Aaron Hill did so in 2007.

2010: NCAA Division II record with a 54-game hitting streak

In 2010, Kevin Pillar set the NCAA Division II record with a 54-game hitting streak. He also established his school's all-time record with a career batting average of .367.

2011: Appalachian League Batting Title

In 2011, Kevin Pillar batted .347, winning the Appalachian League batting title. He also led the organization in batting average during his first minor league season and was named an Appalachian League All-Star.

2011: Member of Toronto's 2011 draft

In 2011, Kevin Pillar was a member of Toronto's draft.

2011: Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays

In 2011, Kevin Pillar was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 32nd round of the Major League Baseball draft, receiving a signing bonus of $1,000 and later requiring financial assistance from his mother to purchase an iPhone.

2012: Midwest League Most Valuable Player

In 2012, Kevin Pillar played for the Lansing Lugnuts and Dunedin Blue Jays, showcasing his skills in batting and base stealing. He was named the 2012 Midwest League Most Valuable Player and garnered multiple All-Star honors.

2012: Midwest League MVP

In 2012, Pillar batted .323 and stole 51 bases, earning the title of Midwest League MVP. He also received recognition as a mid-season and post-season All-Star, was named the best hitting prospect in the league by Baseball America, and was honored as a Topps Class A All-Star and MiLB.com Organization All-Star.

July 2013: 16th-best prospect in the Blue Jays organization

In July 2013, Pillar was ranked as the 16th-best prospect in the Blue Jays organization by MLB.com, marking his first appearance in the top 20 on MLB.com's rankings.

August 14, 2013: Called up to the Blue Jays

On August 14, 2013, Kevin Pillar was called up to the Toronto Blue Jays for the first time in his career, marking his entry into Major League Baseball.

August 2013: Promotion to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons

Before August 2013 promotion to the major league, Pillar played 71 games for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and played 11 games for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons

August 2013: Major League Debut for the Blue Jays

In August 2013, Kevin Pillar made his major league debut for the Toronto Blue Jays, marking a significant milestone in his professional career.

December 2013: Best Hitter for Average

In December 2013, Baseball America designated Kevin Pillar as the "Best Hitter for Average" among the Blue Jays' prospects, highlighting his hitting ability and potential.

2014: International League All-Star

In 2014, Pillar led the International League in doubles while batting .323, earning him a spot as an IL post-season All-Star.

2014: International League in doubles leader

In 2014, Pillar played for the Buffalo Bisons and led the International League in doubles (39). He was named International Player of the Week twice and the 2014 Buffalo Bisons MVP.

2014: Optioned to the Buffalo Bisons and recalled to the Blue Jays

In 2014, after starting the season with the Blue Jays, Kevin Pillar was optioned to the Buffalo Bisons and later recalled, demonstrating his performance and potential within the organization.

April 2015: Lowest selection to reach the majors

As of April 2015, Kevin Pillar was recognized as the lowest selection from his major league draft class to reach the majors, highlighting his unexpected rise to success.

2015: First full Major League season

In 2015, Kevin Pillar played his first full Major League season, setting career-highs and contributing to the Blue Jays' performance in the American League Division Series.

2015: Starting left fielder

In 2015, Michael Saunders acquisition led to Pillar becoming the starting left fielder.

2016: Pillar-Lambert Scholarship in Accounting

In 2016, Kevin Pillar established the Pillar-Lambert Scholarship in Accounting at Tel Aviv University in Israel, honoring his late maternal grandfather, Ed Lambert.

2016: Defensive performance statistics

In 2016, Pillar appeared in 146 games for the Blue Jays, and led major league center fielders with 21 Defensive Runs Saved and a UZR of 21.4. He led all MLB center fielders in defensive value according to Fangraphs.

2016: Minor league career batting average

Through 2016, Kevin Pillar had a minor league career batting average of .324.

2016: Minor league career statistics

Through 2016, Pillar batted .324 with a .479 slugging percentage and an .846 OPS in 413 minor league games.

February 8, 2017: Cover athlete for R.B.I. Baseball 17

On February 8, 2017, Kevin Pillar was announced as the cover athlete for the Canadian version of R.B.I. Baseball 17.

2017: Best fielding percentage in the American League

In 2017, Kevin Pillar had a .997 fielding percentage as a center fielder, which was the best in the American League, highlighting his defensive prowess.

2017: 2017 Season Performance and Gold Glove Nomination

In 2017, Pillar achieved career-highs in doubles (37) and home runs (16), batting .256/.300/.404, scoring 72 runs, and stealing 15 bases. His fielding percentage (.997) was the best in the league, and he was named a Gold Glove award finalist on October 28, 2017.

January 12, 2018: Pillar signs a one-year contract with the Blue Jays

On January 12, 2018, Pillar signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract with the Blue Jays, thereby avoiding salary arbitration.

2018: Pillar Leads the Team in Key Stats and Becomes Longest-Tenured Blue Jay

In the 2018 season, Pillar led the team in batting average (.252), doubles (40), and stolen bases (14). As of 2018, at 29 years of age, Pillar became the longest-tenured active Blue Jay after the team traded Aaron Loup.

2018: MLB All-Star Series in Japan

In the fall of 2018, Pillar played as an MLB All-Star in the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series, batting .333 in 12 at bats.

January 2019: Pillar signs a one-year contract

In January 2019, Pillar signed a one-year, $5.8 million contract with the Blue Jays, avoiding arbitration.

April 2, 2019: Pillar Traded to San Francisco Giants

On April 2, 2019, the Blue Jays traded Pillar to the San Francisco Giants for Alen Hanson, Derek Law, and Juan De Paula.

December 2, 2019: Pillar Becomes a Free Agent

On December 2, 2019, San Francisco opted not to tender Pillar a contract, making him a free agent.

2019: 2019 Giants Season Performance

During the 2019 season with the Giants, Pillar achieved significant stats, including batting .264/.293/.442 with 37 doubles, 21 home runs, and 87 RBIs. He also stole 14 bases. In 2019, he played 161 games and on defense, he had a range factor of 2.30.

February 14, 2020: Pillar Signs with Boston Red Sox

On February 14, 2020, Pillar signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.

2020: Pillar Traded to the Colorado Rockies

At the trade deadline of the 2020 season, on August 31, Boston traded Pillar to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for pitcher Jacob Wallace.

2020: Performance for Colorado in 2020

In 2020 for Colorado, Pillar batted .308/.351/.451 with 2 home runs, 14 runs, and 13 RBIs in 91 at bats. On defense he played almost exclusively center field.

2020: 2020 Season Combined Stats

In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, between Boston and Colorado combined, Pillar batted .288/.336/.462 with 6 home runs, 34 runs, and 26 RBIs in 206 at bats.

February 21, 2021: Pillar signs a one-year contract with the New York Mets

On February 21, 2021, Pillar signed a one-year contract with the New York Mets with player and club options for 2022. The contract guaranteed Pillar $3.6 million in 2021 with a player option worth $2.9 million with no buyout, and a club option worth $6.4 million with a $1.4 million buyout.

2021: 2021 Season with the Mets

In 2021 with the Mets, Pillar batted .231/.277/.415 with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs. He played error-less baseball, with appearances in center field, left field, and right field. He also pitched in one game, retiring the one batter he faced in 2021.

March 22, 2022: Pillar Signs Minor League Contract with Dodgers

On March 22, 2022, Pillar signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2022: Contract options for 2022

2022: Career Steals Ranking

Through 2022, Kevin Pillar was 5th in career steals on the all-time list of Jewish major leaguers, showcasing his accomplishments and standing among Jewish players in MLB history.