Are Pillar's Days With The Blue Jays Numbered?
The Blue Jays' struggles this season has many fans looking toward next season. One question on people's minds is whether Kevin Pillar will return as the team's starting center fielder. He is once again struggling to hit and looking more and more like he isn't going to make the adjustments needed to become a quality hitter. He still plays quality defence, even if it isn't the gold glove contender type of defence from years past. He is approximately a league average center fielder. This is something that has value, but with his arbitration salary set to rise, is this something a rebuilding team needs? The front office should consider putting out some feelers on Pillar during the offseason and see if there is someone desperate for a center fielder.
If Pillar were traded, that leaves the question as to who will take over in center field? The team entered the season with a glut of outfielders, but they may be hard pressed to replace Pillar. Anthony Alford, Dalton Pompey and Dwight Smith Jr are the players closest to the majors whose names have been tossed around by fans, but each of them comes with their warts.
Smith Jr isn't a center fielder. He has only played 12 games there in the past 4 seasons. He isn't even that good defensively in the corners. His career minor league ISO and MLB exit velocity say he has no power. I don't get the hype around him. Since he's not a good fielder at a premium position he needs to hit to have any value and without power or many line drives that puts a lot of pressure on his ability to draw walks and not strike out. He has had success with walks and Ks in the minors so I can't write him off completely, but I don't have super high hopes for him. He's probably destined for a career as a decent 4th outfielder who can be pushed into a starting LF role on a non-contender if needed. He reminds me of Reed Johnson.
Alford has worried me for a while. His strikeout rate was too high until last season when he cut it drastically. Unfortunately there were still red flags because the drop in strikeouts didn't come with a drop in swinging strikes. That's why I'm not that surprised by his k rate going back up this season. He has the tools to be an impact player, but if he continues to strike out this often he's not going to come close to reaching his potential. Hopefully his power develops eventually. If he can turn his season around in the second half, he becomes the obvious choice to replace Pillar.
Pompey will be out of options next year so he already has the inside track on the 4th OF job. He has a similar hitting profile to Smith Jr, but he is very, very good on the bases and is an excellent defender. It's a shame what happened to his career with all the injuries because he was looking good as a guy who can draw walks, steal 30+ bases and play solid D. If the Blue Jays get an offer they can't refuse for Pillar they may decide to see what they can get from Pompey in a starting role. If he can re-gain some of the promise that made him a top 50 prospect he would be a capable fill-in while the team rebuilds.
Another option is sliding Grichuk into center. He has shown excellent defensive ability in right field this year and has experience in center in the past. Grichuk's bat would play nicely in center and he should be able to hold his own with the glove.
Despite Pillar's struggles at the plate, he may still be the team's best option in center field heading into 2019. He isn't a star, but an average player is still someone who can provide value. He shouldn't be untouchable, and hopefully they will be able to squeeze out a prospect for him in the offseason. If they can't, there is little harm in hanging onto him and hoping he can figure it out at the plate, no matter how unlikely that looks.
