Outfielder wants to be Jays’ Pillar of strength
28-year-old becoming an important part of team’s leadership, Rob Longley writes.
DUNEDIN, FLA. The far corner of the Toronto Blue Jays’ spring training clubhouse is populated with the veteran stars of the team.
Jose Bautista, before he left for the World Baseball Classic, has the most space. A couple of stalls up is Josh Donaldson and along that same back wall Troy Tulowitzki, Kevin Pillar and others also hang their hats.
But rather than a closed-shop clique, Pillar says the leadership group of various ages and personalities has been a motivational force to what the team is hoping will be another run to the postseason.
If there’s a competition in that corner, it’s to push the collective to be even better and to encourage younger players to inherit the competitive drive.
“That’s a little bit of the culture change we’ve had around here,” Pillar said. “Whether it’s been a Donaldson or (Russell Martin) or Tulo or Bats or myself or any other guy … we’re always challenging each other to be great.”
If Tulowitzki is the quiet leader, Donaldson is often more verbose. Bautista is the veteran and Pillar one of those eager to be part of the group.
So far, it’s been a productive spring for the 28-year-old centrefielder, who had surgery to his left thumb three days after the Jays were eliminated in the ALCS. The off-season, he said, was spent with weeks of what he called “tedious” rehab to repair torn ligaments.
As Pillar puts in his work toward what he hopes will be a healthy and productive season, he takes pride in including himself in that leadership group. A Gold Glove finalist last season, he believes he has more to offer.
“Aside from the actual injury, any time you are playing through something I think it weighs on you a little more, mentally,” Pillar said.
“Now I don’t have any limitations on the field or off of it. (The thumb) doesn’t hold me back and mentally it doesn’t wear on me.”
Batting him in the leadoff position most days, Jays manager John Gibbons has been impressed with Pillar so far in Grapefruit League play. He’s a little more patient at the plate and with two healthy hands, headed toward being more of a contributor offensively.
“He’s having a great spring,” Gibbons said. “He’s showing a lot more discipline at the plate … he really looks like a different guy.
“We want him to take his walks when he gets them and he’ll be a better hitter. Sometimes you’re too aggressive and you chase outside of the zone. He’s always had a great hand-eye co-ordination and he puts those balls in play.
“He competes with the best of them, as good as anybody in the game.”