National Post (National Edition)
Pillar seeking greater range
Jays’ stellar defender chases more versatility
Kevin Pillar is a pretty laid back dude when he’s not patrolling the outfield for the Toronto Blue Jays, but he got a little riled up when asked if he considers himself one of the best defensive centre-fielders in baseball.
“I don’t want people to label me as the best defensive centre-fielder,” said the West Hills, Calif., native inside the clubhouse at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. “I don’t think anyone wants to be pigeonholed as a specialist at something. I think everyone wants to be known as a great baseball player. I want to be known as one of the best overall and that just comes with an overall game. There’s parts of my game that I need to be a little more dynamic at and improve on and those are the things I spent my offseason working on, as well as my defence. I just want to be a complete player and I think that’s everyone’s goal.”
Pillar said he spent at least two days a week in the off-season working out with Blue Jays hitting coach Brook Jacoby. Last season, he hit .266 with an OBP of .303 with seven home runs and 53 RBI in 146 games. He walked 24 times, an area of his game he wants to improve on.
“That’s my goal: How do I become more consistent? Because in my two (full) years (in the big leagues) I’ve gone through periods of times where I’ve been very, very good and I’ve also been very, very poor and I’m just trying to figure out where I can try to find that middle ground and be a little more consistent,” he said. “Obviously, staying the strike zone is the biggest thing for me and that’s going to be my biggest focus in spring training, just fine-tuning an approach and learning to sit on pitches and evolving as a hitter.”
Pillar was a Gold Glove finalist last season and was awarded the Fielding Bible Award for centre field. He was a hitting marvel during his four seasons in the minors (winning batting titles and leading leagues in offensive categories) and he wants to mirror that in the big leagues.
“I’m really looking forward to working on certain things at spring training,” he said. “I think that’s the luxury you’re afforded when your job’s a little more secure, you don’t have to go out there and hit .300-.400 to make a team. I can go out there and really work on what I feel that I need to work on — just going up there and hunt pitches, sit on pitches, narrowing my strike zone and hopefully, it’s going to lead to more consistent hard contact and an increased number of walks.”
Basically he wants to accomplish what teammate Josh Donaldson did, in reverse.
“You see a guy like Donaldson who was named MVP two years ago, but people didn’t recognize him much for his defence,” said Pillar. “He spent a lot of time on his defence and started getting recognized for it and now he’s known as the best third baseman in baseball.
“I’m always trying to improve,” he added. “If we’re not trying to get better, someone else is. This is an industry of being replaced and the moment you get content there’s going to be someone who is trying to take your job. So I’ll never be content.”
Pillar smiled when asked if he believes he can really become the best overall outfielder in baseball.
“I’ll settle for second best,” he said. “I think Mike Trout’s a guy who’s going to be tough to match, but second best works for me in that position.”
He’s thrilled Jose Bautista re-signed with the Jays and will be standing to his left most games in the outfield. Pillar also believes that Melvin Upton Jr. or Ezequiel Carrera will shine in left.
“I’ve logged a ton of innings with both of those guys and they’re both very good left fielders and have the ability to play right and centre when need be,” he said.
“I know what type of player Melvin can be and has been. Obviously, there is an adjustment period coming from the NL back to the AL and trying to fit in on a team that’s in the middle of a playoff push. But I expect him to do big things for this team. And Zeke just comes ready to play everyday. Whether he’s starting or coming off the bench, he’s going to do a tremendous job for us. Whether it’s as the opening day starting left-fielder or the fourth outfielder or whatever capacity he fits in.”