Toronto Blue Jays 2016 ALCS Roster: Where are they now?

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 09: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by Troy Tulowitzki #2 after scoring the game-winning run as Kevin Pillar #11 runs while celebrating in the tenth inning during MLB game action against the Texas Rangers in game three of the American League Division Series at Rogers Centre on October 9, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 09: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by Troy Tulowitzki #2 after scoring the game-winning run as Kevin Pillar #11 runs while celebrating in the tenth inning during MLB game action against the Texas Rangers in game three of the American League Division Series at Rogers Centre on October 9, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 18: Kevin Pillar #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates with his teammate Jose Bautista #19 after hitting a sacrifice fly to right field to score Ezequiel Carrera #3 in the eighth inning against Mike Clevinger #52 of the Cleveland Indians during game four of the American League Championship Series at Rogers Centre on October 18, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 18: Kevin Pillar #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates with his teammate Jose Bautista #19 after hitting a sacrifice fly to right field to score Ezequiel Carrera #3 in the eighth inning against Mike Clevinger #52 of the Cleveland Indians during game four of the American League Championship Series at Rogers Centre on October 18, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Jose Bautista – Right Field

2016 Stats: 517 plate appearances; .234/.366/.452; .817 OPS; 22 home runs; 69 RBI

2016 ALCS Playoff Stats: 21 plate appearances; .167/.286/.222; .508 OPS; 0 home runs; 0 RBI

2020 Stats: N/A

A prominent figure in Toronto Blue Jays history, Jose Bautista went into 2016 with 6 consecutive all-star appearances and a few silver sluggers under his belt as a member of Canada’s only MLB team. Bautista would miss some time due to turf toe but still found a way to crank out 22 home runs in 116 games. While the year prior would feature Bautista’s famous bat flip, the 2016 playoff run was a bit more lackluster in comparison. He would only muster three hits in 21 plate appearances while striking out seven times.

The outfielder would become a free agent after the 2017 season and would play for the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies in 2018 before becoming a free agent once again. Although he did not play for anyone in 2020, Bautista turned some heads as he was trying to make it as a two-way player, taking some reps on the mound in hopes of returning to the major leagues. He is currently a free agent.

Ezequiel Carrera – Left field/ Right Field

2016 Stats: 310 plate appearances; .248/.323/.356; .679 OPS; 6 home runs; 23 RBI

2016 ALCS Playoff Stats: 17 plate appearances; .235/.235/.471; .706 OPS; 0 home runs; 0 RBI

2020 Stats (Venezuelan Winter League): 59 plate appearances; .164/.220/.200; .420 OPS; 0 home runs; 3 RBI

A bench player to begin the season, Ezequiel Carrera found himself in a more important role midway through the year, playing more games due to injuries to the outfield core. Carrera would have an alright season, finding himself making the playoff roster and starting every playoff game in 2016. The ALDS saw Carrera put up better numbers (.333/.429/.583 with one home run and one RBI) but the Venezuelan native did hit two triples and one RBI while only striking out four times in the ALCS.

Carrera would be released by the Blue Jays just before the 2018 season and would play for the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets farm systems to complete the year. In 2019, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Carrera to a minor league contract and he would toil in the minor leagues before being released midway through the season.

After being released by the Dodgers, Carrera would play for the Long Island Ducks and the Rockland Boulders in the Independent League(s) to finish the 2019 season. He would not sign with any team for the 2020 campaign (mostly due to there being no MiLB season) but is currently playing in the Venezuelan Winter League with the Navegantes de Magnalles, where he has a .164/.220/.200 line with 0 home runs and 3 RBI in 59 plate appearances.

Kevin Pillar – Center Field

2016 Stats: 584 plate appearances; .266/.303/.376; .679 OPS; 7 home runs; 53 RBI

2016 ALCS Playoff Stats: 18 plate appearances; .063/.111/.063; .174 OPS; 0 home runs; 0 RBI

2020 Stats: 223 plate appearances; .288/.336/.462; .798 OPS; 6 home runs; 26 RBI

Drafted by the Blue Jays in the 32nd round of the 2011 amateur draft, Kevin Pillar is a true testament to how players can grind their way to MLB even if they are drafted in the later rounds. A defensive-minded center fielder, Pillar was well known for his highlight-reel diving catches and his eye black and high socks. His ALCS numbers are ones he would probably like to forget, as mustered one hit in his 18 plate appearances, striking out four times with only one walk.

Another veteran caught in the crosshairs during the Blue Jays rebuild, Pillar would be traded to the San Francisco Giants at the start of the 2019 season. He would play one season with the Giants before being non-tendered and made a free agent. He would sign a one year deal with the Boston Red Sox before being traded midway through the season to the Colorado Rockies, where he would finish the year. He is currently a free agent.

Dalton Pompey – Outfielder/Pinch Runner

2016 Stats: 2 plate appearances; .000/.000/.000; .000 OPS; 0 home runs; 0 RBI

2016 ALCS Playoff Stats: N/A

2020 Stats: N/A

Another Toronto Blue Jays internal prospect, Canadian Dalton Pompey was given the keys to center field to start 2015 but lost the gig after struggling throughout the first month. He would spend most of the 2016 season down in AAA, and when he was finally called back up to the Blue Jays roster, he was mostly used as a pinch-runner and as a defensive replacement. While he was added to the 2016 ALCS roster, he did not see any game time.

Pompey would miss the entire 2017 season after suffering a concussion during the World Baseball Classic and would be designated for assignment midway through the 2019 season, seeing only limited action in 2018. Pompey would sign a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks prior to the 2020 season but would be released before the season began later that summer. He is currently a free agent.

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