page_title: Kevin Pillar
section_title: 2016
hierarchical_section_title: Kevin Pillar / Major league career / Toronto Blue Jays / 2016
caption_attribution_description: English: Kevin Pillar squaring for a bunt during Spring Training, March, 23, 2016
context_page_description: Kevin Andrew Pillar is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He previously played in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants. Pillar was an All-American center fielder in college. He set the NCAA Division II record with a 54-game hitting streak in 2010, and established his school's all-time record with a career batting average of .367. Pillar was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 32nd round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.
  In 2011, he batted .347, winning the Appalachian League batting title and leading the organization in batting average in his first minor league season, and was named an Appalachian League All-Star. In 2012 Pillar batted .323, while stealing 51 bases, and was named the Midwest League MVP, a mid-season and a post-season All-Star, the best hitting prospect in the league by Baseball America, and a Topps Class A All-Star and MiLB.com Organization All-Star. In 2013, he led the organization in hits for the second consecutive year, and Baseball America designated him the "Best Hitter for Average" among the Blue Jays' prospects. He made his major league debut for the Blue Jays in August 2013.
context_section_description: Pillar opened the season as the Blue Jays' lead-off hitter, but struggled, hitting .188 with no walks through April 16, and was moved down in the order by manager John Gibbons. In early August, Pillar was placed on the disabled list with a left thumb injury incurred while stealing a base; he later underwent offseason surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament. To that point in the season, Pillar had played in 109 of 112 games, and his 2.6 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) was second only to Josh Donaldson on the team. On September 6, Pillar was announced as the Blue Jays' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award.
  Pillar appeared in 146 games for the Blue Jays in 2016, and hit .266 with seven home runs, 53 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. On defense, he ranked # 1 among major league center fielders with 21 Defensive Runs Saved and a UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) of 21.4. He led all MLB center fielders in defensive value according to Fangraphs, and was only surpassed in defensive value by shortstops Brandon Crawford and Francisco Lindor. Pillar struggled with the bat in the postseason, going 3-for-32 at the plate with one home run and two RBIs.
  Pillar was named as a finalist for the Gold Glove Award in center field, along with Jackie Bradley Jr. and Kevin Kiermaier. On October 28, he was awarded the Fielding Bible Award for the center field position.
caption: Pillar squaring for a bunt during 2016 spring training.
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