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Kevin Pillar 2020 Outlook: Now An Insurance Piece For The Red Sox
5 years agoAfter spending his first six MLB seasons in Toronto, Kevin Pillar was traded to San Francisco after five games and he enjoyed his best season yet. He posted career highs in home runs (21), RBI (88) and runs scored (83). Pillar chased (40.2%) and swung (52.8%) at fewer pitches in 2019. However, his xBA dipped from .280 to .263 and the xSLG fell from .432 to .407. In the end, the Giants non-tendered Pillar but he landed a one-year deal with the Red Sox in February. Pillar now appears to be insurance in case new-acquisition Alex Verdugo cannot stay healthy. Ideally, Boston would like to use him as a fourth outfielder. Pillar’s value takes an obvious hit, as he will not be capable of producing double-digit homers and steals or accrue 70 runs unless Verdugo misses an extended period of time. Pillar could open the season as a starter for Boston, but may only be a good plugger for a few weeks. He has an ADP of 333.64 which is sure to tumble, and now his appeal is limited to final-rounds territory and draft-and-hold formats.
