Will Kevin Pillar win a gold glove this year?

[Orgfiller]

I hope Pillar wins it. Might take his value to an all time high. At that point I hope he is traded. Wonder what Pillar could return. Another OF would need to be in the package.

 

If anything, we repeatedly are being shown that defense still isn't very highly valued by teams trading for skilled defenders. Heck, consensus god of SS Andrelton Simmons got traded for a pretty lousy package, but then again that could be the Braves simply making a very poor move, would not be the first time it's happened. Matt Duffy just got moved along with other pieces almost as if a throw-in for Matt Moore who's been a pretty mediocre starter over his career.

 

My point is, it really doesn't make a lot of sense to look to package Pillar unless someone does the unexpected and pays premium for an elite defender with a bad bat, something that's never really happened before.

[G-Snarls]

My favorite from this year, I didn't think he would catch that when I was watching it on tv, gongshow in center field Pillar.

 

Absolutely sick catch

 

His instincts/first move/routes are just incredible, let alone his ability to stretch out and fly for the ball

[Nabru]

If anything, we repeatedly are being shown that defense still isn't very highly valued by teams trading for skilled defenders. Heck, consensus god of SS Andrelton Simmons got traded for a pretty lousy package, but then again that could be the Braves simply making a very poor move, would not be the first time it's happened. Matt Duffy just got moved along with other pieces almost as if a throw-in for Matt Moore who's been a pretty mediocre starter over his career.

 

My point is, it really doesn't make a lot of sense to look to package Pillar unless someone does the unexpected and pays premium for an elite defender with a bad bat, something that's never really happened before.

 

Agreed especially with your last point. Once Pillar becomes a free agent in 2021, he'll be 32 years old. Probably around the same time his strengths (speed, defence) decline if they haven't started to already. That's when you let him go. Also, no reason for the Jays to look at an extension for this type of player before free agency.

[WONDERBAT]

lol that 77 wRC+ but the guy is still worth 2.4 WAR. If only he could just be an average MLB hitter.

[Captain Adama]

lol that 77 wRC+ but the guy is still worth 2.4 WAR. If only he could just be an average MLB hitter.

 

Then he'd probably put up a 5-6 WAR season like Kiermaier did last year.

[burlingtonbandit]

lol that 77 wRC+ but the guy is still worth 2.4 WAR. If only he could just be an average MLB hitter.

 

There was a good article saying how his power has increased but it hasn't shown up in his ISO yet. I don't think we see him become average but a 90-95wRC+ seems attainable.

 

I do wonder with him playing so much that maybe his offensive numbers are lower because he is playing hurt at times. I remember him having a really bad slump after hurting his elbow on one of those catches.

[vilifyingforce]

There was a good article saying how his power has increased but it hasn't shown up in his ISO yet. I don't think we see him become average but a 90-95wRC+ seems attainable.

 

I do wonder with him playing so much that maybe his offensive numbers are lower because he is playing hurt at times. I remember him having a really bad slump after hurting his elbow on one of those catches.

 

Considering he had a 92 and 93 the last two seasons I can't believe how far out on a limb you're stretching here.

[Orgfiller]

There was a good article saying how his power has increased but it hasn't shown up in his ISO yet. I don't think we see him become average but a 90-95wRC+ seems attainable.

 

I do wonder with him playing so much that maybe his offensive numbers are lower because he is playing hurt at times. I remember him having a really bad slump after hurting his elbow on one of those catches.

He quite simply just has one of the worst plate disciplines you'll see from an MLB hitter. It's almost as if the worse the pitch is, the more likely he is to swing at it, considering you'll probably see a few fastballs down the pipe being taken in a game.

[Jimcanuck]

He quite simply just has one of the worst plate disciplines you'll see from an MLB hitter. It's almost as if the worse the pitch is, the more likely he is to swing at it, considering you'll probably see a few fastballs down the pipe being taken in a game.

 

he makes up his mind to swing before the pitch is thrown

[fatcowxlive]

Yes Kiermaier had an injury and missed time so Pillars taking it

[Frenchsoup]

he makes up his mind to swing before the pitch is thrown

 

If this is true the pitchers would never throw him a strike.

[burlingtonbandit]

He quite simply just has one of the worst plate disciplines you'll see from an MLB hitter. It's almost as if the worse the pitch is, the more likely he is to swing at it, considering you'll probably see a few fastballs down the pipe being taken in a game.

 

The last few days he couldn't lay off the high fastball or curveball bounced in the dirt no matter how bad it was. Melivin Upton syndrome

[Pendleton]

He should be almost a lock at this point but who really knows.

[JFD]

Yes and it will raise his trade value. Please trade him...

[Jonn]

As long as Pillar hits 8th or 9th nobody should ever complain about his hitting. Not every player in your lineup can be above average. His defence more than makes up for what his bat doesn't provide. And hes also capable of hot streaks. it looked like he was starting to lay off the the garbage he would swing at during the second half last year. That went back to square one this year. He was even putting the ball in play more as well. It's a bit frustrating

 

Pressure of the leadoff spot? The hitting coach wanting him to try to hit for more power? Whatever it is I don't think its a complete lost cause.

[JFD]

As long as Pillar hits 8th or 9th nobody should ever complain about his hitting. Not every player in your lineup can be above average. His defence more than makes up for what his bat doesn't provide. And hes also capable of hot streaks. it looked like he was starting to lay off the the garbage he would swing at during the second half last year. That went back to square one this year. He was even putting the ball in play more as well. It's a bit frustrating

 

Pressure of the leadoff spot? The hitting coach wanting him to try to hit for more power? Whatever it is I don't think its a complete lost cause.

 

It's justifiable to complain about having a sub .300 OBP guy in the everyday lineup. His offensive numbers are quite pathetic and he puts up some of the ugliest AB's in all of baseball.

[fatcowxlive]

It's justifiable to complain about having a sub .300 OBP guy in the everyday lineup. His offensive numbers are quite pathetic and he puts up some of the ugliest AB's in all of baseball.

 

It's not justifiable when he's the best defensive CF in the AL

[Jonn]

It's justifiable to complain about having a sub .300 OBP guy in the everyday lineup. His offensive numbers are quite pathetic and he puts up some of the ugliest AB's in all of baseball.

 

I suppose if hes hitting 5th or leadoff the complaints would be justified. I want him to get on base more to but he kinda is who he is. Our offense doesn't suffer because of Pillar.

[Governator]

I like to laugh at some of the pitches Pillar makes contact with, some are downright baffling but I don't complain about him overall nor do I mind him in the line up. Our team & our pitchers have drastically benefited by upgraded defense up the middle and Pillar is a major reason for that. We are a very strong defensive team, it's difficult to be the best in every aspect of the game. So I give Pillar rope there.

[Cyris]

It shouldnt even be a question, there is no legitimate reason not to give it to him if he stays healthy and continues his quality of play. The question should be if he wins the platinum glove.

He has given almost double the defensive value of the second best CF in all of baseball. Then again the legitimacy of the GG was destroyed after Rafael Palmeiro won the award after playing less than 30 games in the field.

[closetjaysfan]

Yes and it will raise his trade value. Please trade him...

 

And replace him with who? He has the 5th highest WAR for a center fielder in all of baseball.