1. Early life and background
Kevin Pillar was born in the West Hills district of Los Angeles, California, to Mike and Wendy Pillar. Growing up, he was a devoted fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pillar is of Jewish heritage through his mother, Wendy, and had a Bar Mitzvah, while his father is Christian. In 2016, he honored his late maternal grandfather, Ed Lambert, by establishing the Pillar-Lambert Scholarship in Accounting at Tel Aviv University in Israel. Known by his nickname "K.P.", Pillar ranks among the top Jewish major leaguers in several career categories, including fifth in steals, ninth in doubles, and tenth in hits through the 2022 season.
1.1. High school years
Pillar attended Chaminade College Prep. During his junior year, he transitioned from an infield position to the outfield for the baseball team, where he batted just under .400 for his high school career, achieving a high of .463 in his senior year. Demonstrating remarkable athletic versatility, he also played on offense, defense, and special teams for the football team, and served as a point guard for the basketball team, earning first-team all-league honors in all three sports.
2. College career
Pillar pursued his collegiate baseball career at California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California, where he majored in mathematics and business. He played as a center fielder for the Toros baseball team, earning All-American honors.
As a freshman in 2008, Pillar achieved a batting average of .379, which was the fifth-highest in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. He also ranked third in the league with 20 doubles and fifth with 17 stolen bases, earning him a spot on the All-CCAA 2nd team. In his sophomore year in 2009, he maintained a .329 batting average and successfully stole 18 bases in 19 attempts, once again being named a 2nd-Team All-CCAA selection.
In 2010, during his junior year, Pillar set an NCAA Division II record with an impressive 54-game hitting streak, surpassing the previous record by five games. On eight occasions during this streak, he secured a hit in his final at-bat to keep it alive. He finished the season with a .379 batting average and received multiple accolades, including a Rawlings/ABCA National Gold Glove Award, ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic 1st-team All-District, an Honorable Mention All-American from the NCBWA, and 1st-team selections for Daktronics/NCAA, NCBWA, and Rawlings/ABCA All-West Region. He was also a 1st-team All-CCAA selection, marking his third All-CCAA honor in three years. In his senior year, he batted .369 and maintained a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. Pillar concluded his college career as the school's all-time batting leader with a .367 average.
3. Professional career
Kevin Pillar's professional baseball journey began with his draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, leading him through the minor leagues and a significant tenure in Major League Baseball across multiple teams, where he established himself as a prominent outfielder.
3.1. Pre-Major League
Pillar was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 32nd round, 979th overall, of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. His signing bonus was a modest 1.00 K USD, so small that he needed to ask his mother for additional funds to purchase an iPhone after taxes. When he was promoted to the major leagues two years later, Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos admitted that the organization had "clearly...got him wrong," acknowledging that a player with his potential should have been selected much earlier. Pillar was the first player from Toronto's 2011 draft class to reach the majors and, as of April 2015, was the lowest selection from his draft class to make it to MLB.
In 2011, Pillar played for the Bluefield Blue Jays in the Rookie League, where he batted .347 over 60 games, winning the Appalachian League batting title and leading the Blue Jays organization in batting average. He also ranked fourth in the league in hits (82) and sixth in slugging percentage (.534), earning recognition as an Appalachian League All-Star. He holds the Bluefield team's all-time records for batting average, on-base percentage (.377), and slugging percentage. Following his time in Bluefield, he was called up to play for the Vancouver Canadians during their playoff run, batting .391 and contributing to the team's Northwest League title.
Pillar began the 2012 minor league season with the Single-A Lansing Lugnuts of the Midwest League. In 86 games, he recorded a .322 batting average (third in the league) with a .390 on-base percentage (fourth in the league) and stole 35 bases (fifth in the league) while being caught only six times. He was subsequently promoted to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays, where he batted .323 and stole 16 bases in 42 games. His combined total of 51 stolen bases in 2012 was the second-most in the Blue Jays organization and tenth-most in the minor leagues. Recognized as an excellent defensive player, he capably played all three outfield positions. Pillar was named the 2012 Midwest League Most Valuable Player, also receiving mid-season and post-season All-Star honors, and was designated the best hitting prospect in the Midwest League by Baseball America. He was further named a Topps Class A All-Star and an MiLB.com Organization All-Star. Later, he played for the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League, leading the team with a .371 batting average.
Pillar was promoted to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats before the start of the 2013 minor league season. In 71 games for the team, he recorded 12 outfield assists and was considered one of the most consistent hitters and defenders in the Eastern League, praised for his "great instincts, a powerful and accurate throwing arm," and speed on the base paths. His hitting coach, Richie Hebner, lauded him as "the best player in the league" who "does everything well." Pillar batted .313 (third in the league) with 5 home runs and 30 RBIs, leading the Eastern League with 95 hits before being promoted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in June. In his first 11 games with Buffalo, he batted .391 and surprisingly recorded more doubles (8) than singles (7). During his time in Buffalo, he amassed more extra-base hits (27) than any other player in AAA during that period. Across 123 games between New Hampshire and Buffalo, he accumulated 39 doubles and 155 hits, which at the time of his August 2013 promotion, were the second and third-highest totals, respectively, in the minor leagues. Buffalo manager Marty Brown commended Pillar, stating, "I am impressed with how he has swung the bat, for sure. But he also always seems to be in the right place at the right time defensively. He's a very heads-up baserunner." MLB.com ranked Pillar as the 16th-best prospect in the Blue Jays organization in July 2013, a significant rise as he had not previously been in the top 20. Baseball America ranked him as the team's 12th-best prospect. In 2013, his 155 hits in the minors led the organization for the second consecutive year, and in December 2013, Baseball America designated him the "Best Hitter for Average" among the Blue Jays' prospects.
In 2014, Pillar continued his strong performance with the Buffalo Bisons, batting .323 (third in the league) in 100 games, despite missing 35 games due to two call-ups to the majors. He led the International League in doubles (39), which was the second-most in the Bisons' modern era. He also ranked third in extra-base hits (52), and fifth in both slugging percentage (.509) and stolen bases (27), while hitting 10 home runs and 59 RBIs. Pillar achieved both a 21-game hitting streak (the longest in the league for the season) and an 18-game hitting streak, becoming the first player in Buffalo's modern era to record two hitting streaks of 18 games or more. He was named International Player of the Week twice, an International League post-season All-Star, and the 2014 Buffalo Bisons MVP. Through 2016, his minor league career statistics included a .324 batting average, a .479 slugging percentage, and an .846 OPS in 413 games.
3.2. Toronto Blue Jays (2013-2019)
Pillar's tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays marked his establishment as a Major League Baseball player, characterized by his defensive highlights and growing role within the team.
3.2.1. Major League Debut and Early Seasons (2013-2014)
Pillar received his first call-up to the Blue Jays on August 14, 2013, following Colby Rasmus's placement on the disabled list and the trade of Emilio Bonifacio to the Kansas City Royals. He made his major league debut that same night against the Boston Red Sox, wearing uniform number 22. Playing as the left fielder and batting eighth, he went 0-for-4 with one strikeout but made a notable diving catch in the outfield. Pillar recorded his first career hit and RBI in a doubleheader against the New York Yankees on August 20. On August 24, he hit his first career home run, a three-run shot off Houston Astros starter Brad Peacock. After Melky Cabrera's absence, Pillar became the starting left fielder for the remainder of the season, finishing his debut year with 36 games, 3 home runs, 13 RBIs, and a .206 batting average.
In 2014, Pillar was optioned to the Buffalo Bisons on March 22 to start the season. After posting strong numbers in Triple-A, including a .305 batting average, 1 home run, 19 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases in 34 games, he was recalled to the Blue Jays on May 13 when starting center fielder Colby Rasmus sustained an injury. On June 9, Pillar hit a walk-off single against the Minnesota Twins, securing a 5-4 victory for the Blue Jays. He was briefly sent back down to Buffalo on June 24 after an incident where he threw his bat in the dugout following his removal for a pinch hitter. Pillar was recalled again on August 26. For the 2014 MLB season, he played in 53 games, batting .267 with 2 home runs, 7 RBIs, and 1 stolen base.
3.2.2. Starting Center Fielder and Defensive Recognition (2015)
In 2015, Pillar was initially expected to compete for a fourth outfielder role, but an injury to Michael Saunders before spring training led to Pillar becoming the starting left fielder. He quickly gained national attention for his exceptional defensive plays, including a memorable catch on April 15 where he scaled the left field wall to rob Tim Beckham of a home run. Blue Jays fans voted this the play of the year, and Pillar himself described it as a "life-changing moment" that brought him prominence. On June 2, he hit his first career two-home run game, becoming the first right-handed batter to hit two home runs in a single game off Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer. He was named the Blue Jays Player of the Month for June by the Toronto Chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) for batting .365 (fourth in the AL) with 5 stolen bases and 18 RBIs. On September 28, Pillar was named the American League Player of the Week for September 21-27, batting .524 with 2 home runs, 6 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases.
Pillar completed his first full Major League season in 2015, setting career-highs with a .278 batting average, 12 home runs, 56 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases (fifth in the AL), with his 86.21% stolen base percentage ranking fourth in the league. Defensively, he led all MLB outfielders in putouts. His defensive runs saved (DRS) were +14 in center field and +8 in left field. In the postseason, he batted .333 with 1 home run and 4 RBIs in all 5 games of the 2015 American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers, helping the Blue Jays advance before they lost the ALCS to the Kansas City Royals. Pillar was a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award in center field and was named the 2015 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year for center field. His overall contribution to the team's success was significant, reflected by his high Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of 5.2, second only to Josh Donaldson on the team.
3.2.3. Outstanding Defense and Postseason Performance (2016)
Pillar began the 2016 season as the Blue Jays' leadoff hitter but struggled early, batting .188 with no walks through April 16, leading manager John Gibbons to move him down in the batting order. On May 15, Pillar was fined following a bench-clearing brawl during a game against the Texas Rangers. In early August, he was placed on the disabled list due to a left thumb injury sustained while stealing a base; he later underwent offseason surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament. Despite the injury, Pillar played in 109 of 112 games up to that point, with his 2.6 WAR ranking second only to Josh Donaldson on the team. On September 6, he was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award.
Pillar appeared in 146 games for the Blue Jays in 2016, batting .266 with 7 home runs, 53 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. While his fielding percentage of .983 with 6 errors was slightly lower than the previous year, his defensive runs saved (DRS) remained exceptionally high at +21, demonstrating his continued elite defensive capabilities. He ranked as the number one major league center fielder with 21 DRS and a UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) of 21.4, leading all MLB center fielders in defensive value according to Fangraphs, surpassed only by shortstops Brandon Crawford and Francisco Lindor. His WAR of 3.2 ranked third among the team's position players, behind only Josh Donaldson and Edwin Encarnación.
In the postseason, Pillar's bat struggled as he went 3-for-32 with one home run and two RBIs. However, his defensive contributions were crucial. In the Wild Card game against the Baltimore Orioles, he made a diving catch on a deep hit by Manny Machado in the fourth inning and hit a double in the fifth inning to help the team tie the game. In Game 2 of the 2016 American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers, he hit a home run off pitcher Yu Darvish. Following the Wild Card game, Pillar publicly criticized a fan who threw a beer can at Orioles left fielder Hyun-soo Kim, stating that such "rough behavior" was "embarrassing" and unwelcome in a family-friendly ballpark, urging fans to allow players to focus on the game. Pillar was named a finalist for the Gold Glove Award in center field and, on October 28, was awarded the Fielding Bible Award for the center field position.
3.2.4. Controversy and Consistent Performance (2017)
On February 8, 2017, Pillar was announced as the cover athlete for the Canadian version of R.B.I. Baseball 17. During the offseason, he focused on improving his plate discipline with the aim of becoming the Blue Jays' leadoff hitter. Early in the season, he split the leadoff role with Devon Travis, but by late April, Pillar became the everyday leadoff hitter. On May 13, he became the American League leader in hits with 47 after a 3-for-4 performance against the Seattle Mariners. The following day, Pillar hit the first walk-off home run of his career, a solo shot off Mariners closer Edwin Díaz, securing a 3-2 victory for Toronto.
On May 17, during the Blue Jays' 8-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves, Pillar reacted to being struck out by Braves pitcher Jason Motte with a quick pitch by using a homophobic slur. This led to a confrontation with Motte and Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki, causing both dugouts to clear onto the field. Following the game, Pillar publicly apologized to Motte. The next day, at a press conference, Pillar issued another apology, and the Blue Jays announced his suspension for two games, along with an undisclosed fine from MLB.
For the 2017 season, Pillar batted .256/.300/.404, achieving career-highs in doubles (37) and home runs (16), while scoring 72 runs and stealing 15 bases. His .997 fielding percentage as a center fielder was the best in the league, and his eight assists from center field ranked second in the AL. On October 28, he was once again named a center field Gold Glove award finalist.
3.2.5. Contracts, Milestones, and Final Season in Toronto (2018-2019)
On January 12, 2018, Pillar signed a one-year, 3.25 M USD contract with the Blue Jays, avoiding salary arbitration. In Toronto's 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees on March 31, Pillar made history by becoming the first Blue Jay to steal three bases in one inning, successfully stealing second, third, and home plate in the eighth inning. This marked the team's first successful straight steal of home since Aaron Hill did so in 2007. On July 1, he made a spectacular wall-leaping home run-robbing catch that was rated the number two defensive play of the year on MLB Network's "Top 100 Plays of 2018." He was placed on the disabled list on July 15 after spraining his right sternoclavicular joint (where his collarbone attaches to his chest wall) during a diving catch.
Pillar concluded the 2018 season leading the team in batting average (.252), doubles (40, a new career high), and stolen bases (14). He also ranked tenth in the American League in stolen-base percentage (83.25%), while hitting 15 home runs and 59 RBIs. With the trade of pitcher Aaron Loup during the season, Pillar, at 29 years old, became the longest-tenured active Blue Jay. In the fall of 2018, Pillar represented MLB as an All-Star in the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series, batting .333 in 12 at-bats.
In January 2019, Pillar signed another one-year, 5.80 M USD contract with the Blue Jays, again avoiding arbitration. He played five games for the team in 2019 before being traded. He concluded his Toronto career with a seven-year stolen base percentage of 75.82%, ranking eighth all-time among Blue Jays players.
3.3. San Francisco Giants (2019)
On April 2, 2019, the Blue Jays traded Pillar to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Alen Hanson, Derek Law, and Juan De Paula. Pillar quickly made an impact, hitting his first career grand slam against the San Diego Padres on April 8. On May 4, he earned an MLB Play of the Week award for a spectacular catch where he scaled the center field wall to rob Nick Senzel of a potential home run. Pillar became the Giants' everyday center fielder due to ongoing injury problems for Steven Duggar. On August 17, he recorded a career-high 5 hits against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
For the 2019 season with the Giants, Pillar batted .264/.293/.442 with 37 doubles (eighth in the NL), 21 home runs, 87 RBIs, and 6 sacrifice flies (eighth in the NL), while stealing 14 bases. His 161 games played for the season ranked sixth in the majors, and his 6.9 at-bats per strikeout ranked seventh. Defensively, he was third in the league in both his range factor per game as an outfielder (2.30) and his fielding percentage as a center fielder (.986). He led the Giants (or tied for the lead) in runs, doubles, triples, home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases.
In September, Pillar was honored with the Willie Mac Award, given to the team's most inspirational player, as voted on by players, coaches, trainers, and fans. In November, he received one vote for the 2019 National League Most Valuable Player award. However, San Francisco opted not to tender Pillar a contract on December 2, 2019, making him a free agent.
3.4. Boston Red Sox (2020)
On February 14, 2020, Pillar signed a one-year, 4.25 M USD contract with the Boston Red Sox. During the first half of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with the Red Sox, Pillar batted .274 in 117 at-bats over 30 games, accumulating 20 runs, 7 doubles, 2 triples (ranking third in the AL at the time of his trade), 4 home runs, and 13 RBIs. Defensively, he played error-less baseball and recorded two assists from right field (third in the league), appearing in 24 games in right field, 6 games in center field, and 2 games in left field.
3.5. Colorado Rockies (2020)
At the trade deadline of the 2020 season, on August 31, Boston traded Pillar to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for pitcher Jacob Wallace. In 2020 for Colorado, Pillar batted .308/.351/.451 with 2 home runs, 14 runs, and 13 RBIs in 91 at-bats. Defensively, he played almost exclusively center field.
For the entire pandemic-shortened 2020 season, combining his time with Boston and Colorado, Pillar batted .288/.336/.462 with 6 home runs, 34 runs, and 26 RBIs in 206 at-bats.
3.6. New York Mets (2021)
On February 21, 2021, Pillar signed a one-year contract with the New York Mets, which included player and club options for 2022. The contract guaranteed Pillar 3.60 M USD in 2021.
On May 17, Pillar suffered a severe facial injury when he was struck in the face by a 94 mph fastball thrown by Atlanta Braves pitcher Jacob Webb during a bases-loaded situation at Truist Park, forcing in a run. Pillar immediately experienced significant bleeding and was removed from the game. Post-incident, he tweeted that he was "doing fine" despite the "scary moment." He was diagnosed with "multiple nasal fractures" and placed on the 10-day injured list. Pillar was activated from the injured list on May 31, hitting a single in his first plate appearance since the injury. He stated that he would wear a protective mask in the field and on the bases for several weeks. After initially using a clear mask, he switched to a black mask designed with face-scanning software, which significantly improved his vision.
In 2021 with the Mets, he batted .231/.277/.415 with 15 home runs (fourth on the Mets) and 47 RBIs in 325 at-bats. He was particularly effective with runners in scoring position, batting .300/.352/.588. Defensively, he played error-less baseball, appearing in 57 games in center field, 52 in left field, and 22 in right field. He also made a brief pitching appearance in one game, retiring the only batter he faced.
3.7. Los Angeles Dodgers (2022)
On March 22, 2022, Pillar signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He began the season with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, where he batted .315/.412/.622 in 127 at-bats. Pillar was called up to the majors on May 28, but his brief stint with the Dodgers saw him record only one hit (a double) in 12 at-bats.
On June 1, 2022, Pillar fractured his left shoulder while sliding into third base during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite the injury, he remained in the game to score on a groundout before being placed on the injured list. He underwent successful surgery on June 7. Pillar worked through his recovery and played in six minor league rehab games at the end of September, batting 7-for-22 with a home run and six RBIs, making him available for the postseason. For the 2022 season with Oklahoma City, he batted .315 (eighth in the Pacific Coast League) with a .398 on-base percentage and a .604 slugging percentage (sixth in the league) in 149 at-bats, accumulating 42 runs, 10 home runs, 40 RBIs, 20 walks, and 22 strikeouts, primarily playing center field.
3.8. Atlanta Braves (2023)
On January 18, 2023, Pillar signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves organization. His contract stipulated that he would earn 3.00 M USD if he were added to the Braves' major league roster. On March 30, Pillar's contract was selected by the Braves, and he made the Opening Day roster. He achieved a significant career milestone on May 5, 2023, hitting his 100th career home run in a game against the Baltimore Orioles.
In 2023, Pillar batted .228/.248/.416 in 197 at-bats, with 9 home runs and 32 RBIs, while successfully stealing four bases in five attempts. He played 64 games in left field, 13 games in right field, and 3 games in center field.
3.9. Chicago White Sox (2024)
On February 2, 2024, Pillar signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox and was invited to spring training as a non-roster player. His agreement included a 3.00 M USD base salary if he were placed on the team's major league roster. Pillar was released by Chicago on March 22, but two days later, he was re-signed to a major league contract. In 17 games for the White Sox, he went 4-for-25 (.160) with one home run, four RBIs, and two stolen bases. On April 26, Pillar was designated for assignment following the promotion of Tommy Pham. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights on April 28, but he rejected the assignment and subsequently elected free agency.
3.10. Los Angeles Angels (2024)
On April 30, 2024, Pillar signed a major league contract with the Los Angeles Angels after an injury to Mike Trout. He reached two significant career milestones with the Angels: on May 15, he recorded his 100th career stolen base against the St. Louis Cardinals, and on May 19, in a pinch-hit at-bat against the Texas Rangers, he collected his 1,000th career hit. On July 6, Pillar attained 10 years of major league service time. He also indicated that he would likely retire at the end of the 2024 season.
In 2024 for Los Angeles, Pillar batted .236/.291/.378 with 7 home runs, 37 runs, and 41 RBIs in 259 at-bats. He played 46 games in center field, 19 in left field, and 12 in right field. Combining his performance with both Chicago and Los Angeles in 2024, Pillar batted .229/.291/.377 with 8 home runs, 38 runs, and 45 RBIs in 284 at-bats, while stealing 12 bases in 15 attempts. He demonstrated strong performance in clutch situations, batting .329/.379/.500 with runners in scoring position, and .371/.450/.543 with runners in scoring position and two outs. Facing left-handed pitchers, he batted .310/.352/.500.
3.11. Texas Rangers (2025)
On February 23, 2025, Pillar signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, indicating he had shelved his retirement plans to continue his playing career.
4. Hitting Style and Defensive Prowess
Kevin Pillar is widely recognized for his exceptional outfield defense, earning him a reputation as one of baseball's premier outfielders. His defensive prowess is highlighted by numerous accolades and impressive metrics throughout his career. In 2015, his first full Major League season, he led all MLB outfielders in putouts. In 2016, he ranked as the number one major league center fielder with 21 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and a UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) of 21.4, leading all MLB center fielders in defensive value according to Fangraphs. In 2017, his .997 fielding percentage as a center fielder was the best in the American League, and his eight assists from center field ranked second in the AL. His consistent ability to make highlight-reel catches, including scaling walls to rob home runs, has been a hallmark of his play.
While primarily known for his defense, Pillar has also shown consistent hitting abilities. He has demonstrated plate discipline and the capacity to hit for extra bases, as evidenced by his career-high 40 doubles in 2018 and 37 doubles in 2019. He has also been a threat on the base paths, with a career stolen base percentage of 75.82% during his Blue Jays tenure.
5. Awards and Honors
Kevin Pillar has received numerous awards and honors throughout his professional baseball career, primarily recognizing his outstanding defensive skills and community contributions.
- Midwest League Most Valuable Player**: 2012
- Wilson Defensive Player of the Year**: 2015 (Center Field)
- Fielding Bible Award**: 2016 (Center Field)
- Willie Mac Award**: 2019
- Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame**: Inducted in 2018
He was also a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award in center field in 2015, 2016, and 2017, and was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2016. In 2019, he received one vote for the National League Most Valuable Player award.
6. Personal Life
Kevin Pillar married his college sweetheart, Amanda Gulyas, in October 2014. The couple has two children. Their daughter, Kobie, was born in October 2017 and was named after NBA star Kobe Bryant, who was one of Pillar's childhood idols. Their son, Jett, was born in April 2020. Pillar grew up as a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
7. Impact and Evaluation
Kevin Pillar's career has been characterized by his journey from a late-round draft pick to a respected Major League veteran, often embraced as an "underdog" by fans, particularly during his time with the Toronto Blue Jays. His relentless effort and spectacular defensive plays earned him a reputation as a fan favorite and a highly regarded player among his peers.
Beyond his on-field performance, Pillar has also been a prominent figure as a Jewish athlete in baseball. Through 2022, he ranked among the top Jewish major leaguers in career steals, doubles, and hits, underscoring his significant presence within the community of Jewish baseball players. His actions off the field have also drawn attention, such as his strong condemnation of a fan who threw a beer can at an opposing player during a playoff game, demonstrating his commitment to sportsmanship and creating a safe environment for all in baseball. Despite a controversial on-field incident in 2017 where he used a homophobic slur, for which he publicly apologized and faced suspension, Pillar has largely maintained a respected standing in the baseball community through his resilient play and dedication.