This makes Dad 2 for 2. He predicted that both Kendrys Morales and Pillar would not be wearing Jays uniforms at season's end. The Jays traded Morales to the Oakland A's the day before Opening Day. I wondered how long Pillar would remain with the club and thought the Jays would wait to bring up Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. before dealing him. Well, as it turned out, Pillar lasted in Toronto for another six days.
Originally drafted by the Jays in the 32nd round of the 2011 MLB Draft, Pillar defied the odds and reached the big league club in 2013. By 2015, Pillar was an everyday player and became known for his spectacular defense in center field. If not for Kevin Kiermaier of the Tampa Bay Rays, Pillar would have at least one Gold Glove in his collection. Pillar was a Gold Glove finalist from 2015 to 2017.
His bat is also decent. In 2018, Pillar posted career highs in RBI (59) and doubles (40). In five games for Toronto in 2019, Pillar was only 1 for 16 with a RBI. That RBI came last night in a pinch hit appearance during a 6-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
Like Morales, Pillar is heading to the Bay Area. However, the two are in very different situations. Morales is playing with an A's club that is expected to reach the post-season again in 2019 while the Giants are playing through manager Bruce Bochy's swan song and are a shadow of their World Series championship teams of 2010, 2012 and 2014. But Pillar will very likely play everyday. If he plays well, he might be on the move yet again before the season ends.
Things do come in threes. What else could Dad be right about?
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