Toronto Blue Jays: Checking in on Fan Favourites

TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 22: Munenori Kawasaki #66 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats in the fifth inning during MLB game action against the New York Yankees on September 22, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 22: Munenori Kawasaki #66 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats in the fifth inning during MLB game action against the New York Yankees on September 22, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Apr 17, 2018; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays center field Kevin Pillar (11) crosses home plate after a base hit by catcher Luke Maile in the bottom of the tenth inning during the second game of a double header between the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Gerry Angus-USA TODAY Sports /

Kevin Pillar

Blue Jays Career (2013-2019): .260/.297/.705

Pillar was no doubt a key cog in the 2015-2016 Blue Jays. His hustle and the way he played the game endeared him in the hearts of fans across the country. Since coming up to the Blue Jays in 2013, Pillar would have to persevere and continuously take advantage of opportunities in order to become a mainstay in the lineup.

The Toronto Blue Jays have had a lot of fun players over the years. Today we’re checking in on four, past fan favourites and seeing what they’re up to.

It wasn’t until 2015 and an injury to Michael Saunders that Pillar was on an Opening Day lineup, playing left field at Yankee Stadium. He would make highlight plays on a nightly basis, and eventually usurp Dalton Pompey in centre-field. He would have this spot until early on in 2019. On April 2nd, 2019, he was traded to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Derek Law, Alen Hanson, and Juan de Paula.

Since 2019, Pillar has been a member of the Giants, Red Sox, Rockies, and lastly the  Mets. Upon the conclusion of the 2021 season, a season in which he posted a 88 OPS+, the Mets declined his team option. Pillar currently finds himself a free agent.