Kevin Pillar Stats & Scouting Report

AB	25
AVG	.16
OBP	.29
SLG	.36
HR	1

Full name Kevin Andrew Pillar
Born 01/04/1989 in West Hills, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Cal State Dominguez Hills
Debut 08/14/2013
Drafted in the 32nd round (979th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

A $1,000 senior sign in 2011, Pillar has already exceeded expectations and made his major league debut in 2013. Pillar fits a tough profile as a righthanded-hitting outfielder without a plus tool or loud secondary skills, but his overall hitting skills and versatility give him a fourth outfielder profile, and his plus instincts and makeup could help him outstrip even those expectations. Pillar has one of the most direct, compact swings in the minors, and he makes consistent hard contact and hits to all fields. He has the strength for pull-side home runs and could hit 10-12 annually with 30-35 doubles. With average speed and an above-average arm, he can play all three outfield spots. He likely won't be a plus defensive center fielder, but he has first-step quickness and covers enough ground to play there for some clubs. His career walk rate (6 percent) is below-average, and he has struggled against breaking stuff at the higher levels, with a much higher strikeout rate at Triple-A (18 percent) and in the majors (26 percent), so that could limit his utility. In a small sample at the major league level, Pillar often chased out of the zone. Pillar is close to a finished product and could exhaust his prospect eligibility.
Pillar set an NCAA Division II record with a 54-game hitting streak as a junior in 2010 and a Cal State Dominguez Hills mark with a .367 career average. After four seasons with the Toros, he signed for $1,000 and kept hitting as a pro. He batted .347 in his pro debut and a system-best .323 last season, when he won the Midwest League MVP award. Pillar easily makes contact at the plate, thanks to a short swing and quiet approach with few moving parts. He has good feel for the barrel and provides gap power. Pillar used solid speed and keen instincts to steal 51 bases in 60 tries in 2012. His quickness and savvy also serve him well in the outfield, where he can play all three positions. He has average arm strength and accuracy. Pillar already is 24 and will have to keep proving himself, but he looks like he can serve as at least a fourth outfielder in the big leagues. He's ready for Double-A and could get to Toronto by season's end if he continues to produce.

Minor League Top Prospects

Pillar leaped from Double-A New Hampshire to the Blue Jays this season, which meant he had to fulfill his preseason promise to his fianc? that they get married when he made it to the majors. Buffalo?s igniter as its leadoff man, Pillar makes use of a scrappy batting style and plays with reckless abandon in center field. His bat control, short swing and upper body strength make him a good candidate for hitting at the top of the order. Pillar doesn?t walk much, but he makes enough contact to hit perhaps .275 with a dozen home runs. The hard-nosed Pillar can play any of the outfield spots, but is best suited to center where he is adept at racing back on the ball. He?s driven to prove he belongs despite his low draft status. ?He takes a short path to the ball,? Buffalo manager Marty Brown said. ?He?s a very confident hitter. He can hit just about anywhere.?

Best Tools List

Rated Best Batting Prospect in the Midwest League in 2012

Career Transactions

Los Angeles Angels activated CF Kevin Pillar from the 10-day injured list.
Los Angeles Angels placed CF Kevin Pillar on the 10-day injured list. Left thumb sprain.
LF Kevin Pillar elected free agency.
Los Angeles Angels signed free agent LF Kevin Pillar.
Chicago White Sox sent LF Kevin Pillar outright to Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox designated LF Kevin Pillar for assignment.
Chicago White Sox signed free agent LF Kevin Pillar.
Atlanta Braves selected the contract of LF Kevin Pillar, and from Gwinnett Stripers.
LF Kevin Pillar assigned to Gwinnett Stripers.
LF Kevin Pillar roster status changed by Atlanta Braves.
Atlanta Braves signed free agent LF Kevin Pillar to a minor league contract.