Does Pillar need a longer bat?

[Hired Goon]

Because he seems to send a lot of dribblers back to the pitching mound or infield off the tip of the bat. Maybe he's got short arms, maybe he's reaching/swinging at things he shouldn't be swinging at, but does the length of the bat make much of a difference? It makes sense that a shorter bat would fit a shorter player, and would improve velocity, but I'm completely ignorant about the various bat lengths players use. I'm sure there are a few other variables, like how close a dude stands to the plate, but to me, Pillar seems to hit more of these than other players.

[L54]

I think the biggest problem is that Pillar isn't a very good hitter

[G-Snarls]

I think the biggest problem is that Pillar isn't a very good hitter

 

Agreed

 

If he was just an average defender he'd be a 4th OF at best

[Virgil_Hiltz]

Pillar needs longer arms transplant!

[John_Havok]

Because he seems to send a lot of dribblers back to the pitching mound or infield off the tip of the bat. Maybe he's got short arms, maybe he's reaching/swinging at things he shouldn't be swinging at, but does the length of the bat make much of a difference? It makes sense that a shorter bat would fit a shorter player, and would improve velocity, but I'm completely ignorant about the various bat lengths players use. I'm sure there are a few other variables, like how close a dude stands to the plate, but to me, Pillar seems to hit more of these than other players.

 

His biggest problem is swinging at stuff he shouldn't be. That's always been his problem and continues to be. He suffers from great hand eye coordination coupled with poor decision making, which leads to a lot of weak contact

Edited April 10, 2018 by John_Havok

[Pendleton]

Pillar needs longer arms transplant!

 

He could have arms long enough to drag his knuckles on the turf from a standing position and still wouldn't be able to reach some of the crap he swings at down and away.

[SAAviour]

It feels like his defence is not that great anymore as well.

[Dr. Dinger]

Remember that time Kevin Pillar took Max Scherzer deep twice? I do, cause I met him on the street the next day and his handshake was very strong. Big, meaty construction worker hands. Shame that was the high watermark of his hitting career.

[Jonn]

Agreed

 

If he was just an average defender he'd be a 4th OF at best

 

If he was an average Outfielder he might be AAAA guy.

[The Iceman]

Remember that time Kevin Pillar took Max Scherzer deep twice? I do, cause I met him on the street the next day and his handshake was very strong. Big, meaty construction worker hands. Shame that was the high watermark of his hitting career.

 

so you were in Washington when you met him?

[L54]

so you were in Washington when you met him?

 

#semantics

[Dr. Dinger]

so you were in Washington when you met him?

 

I met him Jun 4 2015, it was an off day. It was two days later, not one.

[Spanky__99]

I met him Jun 4 2015, it was an off day. It was two days later, not one.

 

I remember that.

[BTS]

I met him Jun 4 2015, it was an off day. It was two days later, not one.

 

If you were going to lie on the internet about a player's big meaty hands, why Kevin Pillar?

[Dr. Dinger]

I remember that.

 

Yep, I'm sure the post could easily be found. It was right outside my office at Yonge/Gerrard, he was hanging around waiting for someone. Oddly enough, I also saw Tulo here last year.

[Dr. Dinger]

If you were going to lie on the internet about a player's big meaty hands, why Kevin Pillar?

 

I don't even really like Pillar that much, just giving meaty credit where it's due.

[Spanky__99]

If we got this Kevin Pillar for the year(wRC+ 114), I'd be happier than a pig in s***, just saying.

[Spanky__99]

Yep, I'm sure the post could easily be found. It was right outside my office at Yonge/Gerrard, he was hanging around waiting for someone. Oddly enough, I also saw Tulo here last year.

 

I remember that, too, lol.

[thatoneguy]

I really hope that somewhere in the OP's mind, this was intended to be a euphemism.

[Hired Goon]

I really hope that somewhere in the OP's mind, this was intended to be a euphemism.

 

It was partly a euphemism. I know it's a dumb ass post, and I get that Pillar does not have the best self control at the plate, etc. For a small guy like Pillar he may get a bit more plate coverage with a slightly longer bat though, but I guess there would be a corresponding change in bat speed, timing and feel. I assume the smaller the guy, the smaller the bat. Big strong guys like Chris Davis probably would use a fairly long bat? Pillar just seems to have a higher percentage of hits that come right off the tip of the bat, and dribble to the mound is all. Probably he's just not a great or consistent hitter, as others have pointed out.

 

Google tells me MLB regulations allow a bat up to 42 inches. Most guys apparently use 33.75-34". Pete Rose used one up to 36"