‘Give that guy a Gold Glove’

Jays’ Stroman says Pillar is the game’s best in centre field

T O R O N T O • Minus the cape, Kevin Pillar takes this Superman business quite seriously.

After the latest spectacular catch in a career highlight reel full of them, the Jays centre-fielder was sporting his Superman toque and T-shirt, talking about the latest wow-factor play that had his teammates and the Rogers Centre crowd buzzing.

“It’s something I pride myself on as centre-fielder,” Pillar said of Monday’s leaping catch that robbed Jose Ramirez of an extra-base hit and likely two RBIs. “When I was in the minor leagues, I didn’t get a lot of opportunities.

“Guys said I wasn’t fast enough, but it was always about my first step and my instincts and being able to read the bat.”

Pillar said that because he trusts those instincts, every time he leaves his feet, he expects to land with the ball in his glove and another opposing batter out.

“I think that’s the mindset you’ve got to have,” Pillar said. “When you leave your feet, you’ve got to be confident you’re going to make a play. That’s all I’m thinking about — catching the ball.”

Pillar’s defensive prowess has become legendary, both on baseball’s nightly highlight films and in his ability to fire up his teammates and crowds at the dome.

“Give that guy a Gold Glove,” Monday’s starting pitcher Marcus Stroman said. “I think he’s the best defensive centre-fielder in the game.”

If there’s a downside, Jays manager John Gibbons says it’s that Pillar’s ability to make the extraordinary look ordinary takes away some of its magic.

“You take it for granted a little bit and that’s kind of a shame,” Gibbons said. “It’s almost like if he doesn’t make the catch, what’s wrong with him?”

With his finger nail problems ideally behind him, Aaron Sanchez is nearing a return to the Jays’ starting rotation.

On Tuesday, the right-hander threw 60 pitches on a rehab assignment in Florida and if all goes well, he could pitch on Sunday in the final game of a four-game set against the Seattle Mariners.

“He felt good; no pain at all, which is the key thing,” Gibbons said. “If he shows up tomorrow and everything feels good, I assume he will pitch on Sunday.”

In his first six appearances of the season, Roberto Osuna was a struggling 1-for-4 in save situations with a gaudy 7.50 ERA.

Over his last six appearances (prior to Tuesday), Osuna has gone 4-for-4 in save opportunities and has not allowed a run in six innings of work.

With that in mind, Gibbons believes in his bullpen ace after a spring that was marred by a poor effort at the World Baseball Classic, a neck injury and a stint on the disabled list to start the season.

“He’s sharper,” Gibbons said of Osuna, who recorded his fifth save of the season in Monday’s 4-2 win over the Indians. “He basically had no spring training. The more I go out there, I don’t see any issues now. I think (the early troubles) are behind him.”