Kevin Pillar has played in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies and New York Mets.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,773 |
51 Facts About Kevin Pillar
2.
Kevin Pillar made his major league debut for the Blue Jays in August 2013.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,774 |
3.
In 2015, Kevin Pillar was named the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year for center field, and in 2016 he was awarded the Fielding Bible Award for the center field position.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,775 |
5.
Kevin Pillar was born in the Los Angeles district of West Hills, California, to Mike and Wendy Kevin Pillar.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,777 |
7.
In high school at Chaminade College Prep, Kevin Pillar moved from the infield to the outfield in his junior year for the baseball team.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,779 |
8.
Kevin Pillar played on offense, defense, and special teams with the football team, as well as point guard on the basketball team, and earned first-team all-league honors in each sport.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,780 |
9.
Kevin Pillar attended California State University, Dominguez Hills, in Carson, California.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,781 |
10.
Kevin Pillar was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 32nd round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,782 |
11.
Kevin Pillar's signing bonus of $1,000 was so little, after taxes, that he needed to ask his mom for some additional money so that he could have enough to buy an iPhone.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,783 |
13.
Kevin Pillar was then called up to play for the Vancouver Canadians in its playoff run, and batted.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,785 |
17.
Kevin Pillar was promoted to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats before the start of the 2013 minor league season.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,789 |
18.
Kevin Pillar played 71 games for the team, and made 12 outfield assists.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,790 |
19.
Kevin Pillar was considered one of the most consistent hitters and defenders in the Eastern League, "with great instincts, a powerful and accurate throwing arm, " and showed speed on the base paths.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,791 |
21.
Kevin Pillar had both a 21-game hitting streak and an 18-game hitting streak, making him the first player in Buffalo's modern era to put together two hitting streaks of 18 games or more.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,793 |
22.
Kevin Pillar was named International Player of the Week twice, an International League post-season All-Star, and the 2014 Buffalo Bisons MVP.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,794 |
23.
Kevin Pillar was called up to the Blue Jays for the first time in his career on August 14,2013, after center fielder Colby Rasmus was placed on the 15-day disabled list and utility player Emilio Bonifacio was traded to the Kansas City Royals.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,795 |
24.
Kevin Pillar was the first member of Toronto's 2011 draft to reach the majors, and as of April 2015, was the lowest selection of his major league draft class to get to the majors.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,796 |
25.
Kevin Pillar made his major league debut that night against the Boston Red Sox.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,797 |
27.
Kevin Pillar played his first full Major League season in 2015 and set several career-highs.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,799 |
28.
Kevin Pillar played in all 5 games of the 2015 American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers, and batted.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,800 |
29.
On November 11, Kevin Pillar was named the 2015 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year for center field.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,801 |
30.
Kevin Pillar opened the season as the Blue Jays' lead-off hitter, but struggled, hitting.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,802 |
31.
Kevin Pillar appeared in 146 games for the Blue Jays in 2016, and hit.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,803 |
32.
Kevin Pillar 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.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,804 |
33.
Kevin Pillar struggled with the bat in the postseason, going 3-for-32 at the plate with one home run and two RBIs.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,805 |
34.
Kevin Pillar was named as a finalist for the Gold Glove Award in center field, along with Jackie Bradley Jr.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,806 |
35.
Kevin Pillar then called Motte a homophobic slur, Motte and Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki confronted him, and both dugouts rushed onto the field.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,807 |
37.
Kevin Pillar played five games for the team in 2019 before being traded.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,809 |
38.
Kevin Pillar concluded his Toronto career with a seven-year stolen base percentage of 75.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,810 |
39.
Kevin Pillar assumed the position of everyday center fielder, as Steven Duggar's continued injury problems forced him into a few stints on the injured list.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,811 |
40.
Kevin Pillar led the Giants in runs, doubles, triples, home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,812 |
41.
In November, Kevin Pillar received one vote for 2019 National League Most Valuable Player.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,813 |
42.
On February 21,2021, Kevin Pillar signed a one-year contract with the New York Mets with player and club options for 2022.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,814 |
43.
Kevin Pillar immediately suffered severe bleeding, and was removed from the game.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,815 |
44.
Kevin Pillar suffered “multiple nasal fractures, ” and was placed on the 10-day injured list.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,816 |
45.
Kevin Pillar said that he would wear a protective mask in the field and on the bases for several weeks after returning.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,817 |
46.
On March 22,2022, Kevin Pillar signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,818 |
47.
Kevin Pillar will be playing for Team Israel manager and former All Star Ian Kinsler, and alongside All Star outfielder Joc Pederson, Gold Glove outfielder Harrison Bader, and others.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,819 |
48.
In 2018, Kevin Pillar was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,820 |
49.
Kevin Pillar married his college sweetheart Amanda Gulyas in October 2014.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,821 |
50.
Kevin Pillar's wife gave birth to a daughter, Kobie, in October 2017.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,822 |
51.
Kevin Pillar was named after NBA star Kobe Bryant, one of Pillar's idols growing up.
| FactSnippet No. 2,567,823 |