2013 was when “twerk” and “selfie” were added to the dictionary. 2013 was when Paul Walker died in a car crash. RIP. 2013 was when Edward Snowden made it snow upon the intelligence community from Hong Kong. Man, 2013 seems like a lifetime ago. 2013 was also when Kevin Pillar made his MLB debut. He’s been around more than a few blocks or two or three. In fact, he is now playing for his ninth MLB team. As a good Asian man, I’ve been taught to respect my elders. Wait, I’m much older than him!! Regardless, I’m writing him up this week because he’s on an absolute heater right now and I want to see if there’s anything here.
Pillar is 35 years old, 6-foot, 200 pounds, and bats from the right side. He was selected in the 32nd round of the 2011 MLB Draft. But he flew through the system and made the big club within two years.
He played six seasons in Toronto, hitting double-digit home runs in three of those seasons with double-digit steals in four. The high mark was 25 stolen bases and 16 home runs. He was never a walker. Not sure if he was a talker. The strikeout rate was often below 20%, the batting average was in the .260 range and the ISO was in the low .100s, but got to .148 and .174 in the last two seasons. He was out there more for his defense.
He was traded to the San Francisco Giants in 2019, became a free agent, and signed with the Boston Red Sox the following season. He was then traded to the Colorado Rockies at the trade deadline, became a free agent again, and then signed with the New York Mets, where he only played one season. He joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022 but underwent back surgery. The following season, he joined the Atlanta Braves, played one season, then signed with the Chicago White Sox. After 17 games, he was designated for assignment and eventually became a free agent. After Mike Trout suffered an injury, the Los Angeles Angels scooped him up.
Whew. I need a cigarette. And I quit over a decade ago! (Editor’s Note: in….2013??)
After Pillar left Toronto, the strikeout rate increased while the batting average decreased. The ISO did remain, though, as he posted a .188 ISO in 206 plate appearances with Atlanta.
In the 17 games with the White Sox, Pillar slashed .160/.290/.360 with a home run and two stolen bases. The walk rate was 12.5%, strikeout rate was 25% and the ISO was .200. The BABIP was only .176.
Since joining the Angels eight games ago, Pillar is slashing .400/.400/.880 with a double, a triple, three home runs, 12 RBI and a stolen base. He has not walked, the strikeout rate is 20% and the ISO is .480! The BABIP is an unsustainable .412.
Grey has been calling him a hot schmotatoe in his daily recaps, and I lean that way as well, especially after seeing the elevated BABIP. But I like channeling my inner Alice, diving into rabbit holes, and seeing if there is a Wonderland.
Outside of the high BABIP, the thing that jumps out is the 82.4 mph exit velocity. Talk about all or none. So, in his first game, he had three events with an average exit velocity of 67.8 mph. In the next three games, he had one event with a 99.4 mph ev, the next game he had five events with an average of 92.9 mph, and then one event with a 102.2 mph ev. After that, two events with an average of 64.8 mph. In the two most recent games, four events at 79.5 mph then four events at 84.4 mph. His career average is 86.5 mph and, with a bigger sample size, it will likely get closer to that number.
The max exit velocity is only at 105.2 mph, but he’s usually in the 110 mph range, so with more plate appearances, I think we will see a higher number. The launch angle is at 17.1 degrees and Pillar has had a double-digit number in every year of his career. While he will never turn into Barry Bonds, double-digit home runs looks to be very viable.
Pillar has always chased his fair amount of pitches, swung a lot in general and posted good contact rates in the zone. Currently, though, the 6.5% swinging strike rate is well below his career norms. He’s had at least a 12% swinging strike rate since 2020. He also has a 78.9% contact rate outside the zone. He’s usually in the 60% range.
Alright, Pillar is going to regress, with the batting average coming down to the .240ish range most likely. But, but, but….he may still have utility. He’s been batting fourth or second in the lineup, and the playing time looks secure…for now. In addition, despite being 35 years old, he’s still in the 76th percentile for sprint speed.
Pillar may be more leaning tower than a foundation piece, but as long as he’s batting in the heart of the order, he could provide a little pop with some speed. Cross-country truck drivers are salivating at the prospects.
