Quote:
Originally Posted by Parallex
The only one? Probably not, but I think you're incorrect... Pillar is legit elite at the third most important defensive position. His glove more then makes up for his bat.
But I meant what I said. If Kevin Pillar could lay off bad pitches he'd be our best player or at least 2nd best. He's a ++ fielder, above average runner, enough power to get it out of the park, solid contact skills... but he swings at junk so they throw him junk.
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And at this point it's probably pretty safe to say he's never going to stop swinging at junk. As this guy get a little older he will eventually be a bench player as a defensive replacement. He's not even capable of laying down a bunt. At this point in his career he's about one step ahead of Ryan Goins. If his offence drops in the least, he'll find himself in the same position. Centerfield is the third most important position defensively like you said, but it's also one of the positions that drives an offence.
I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for another year because he is still on the younger side and has a cheap contract, but we can't have guys playing contact/OBP positions when all of the other positions that likely would provide that are filled by power hitters.
I'm not sold on him being an A++ fielder either. I agree he makes spectacular plays and is well above average, but his routes to the ball aren't very good(often leading to the necessity to make those superman plays), his arm is pretty mediocre, and he has a tendency to make some pretty boneheaded decisions out there. Nothing about his game comes naturally. The guy is 100% effort. I'll give him a lot of credit for that, but the A++ guys make it look effortless.
I'm not saying he's a bad player, i'm saying he could easily be upgraded on. When you put the whole package together and ignore his highlight real catches the guy is simply mediocre.