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Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

By Darragh McDonald | July 2, 2025 at 3:40pm CDT

Kevin Pillar is hanging up his Superman cape. On an appearance on Foul Territory, he announced that he is retiring from playing. He was with the Rangers earlier this year but was released about a month ago.

Pillar, now 36, was able to engineer an incredible zero-to-hero career. The Blue Jays drafted him in the 32nd round of the 2011 draft. But despite that humble beginning, he would not only make it to the big leagues but he would stick around for more than a decade.

His best asset was his defense, as he quickly earned a reputation for making highlight-reel catches, often diving horizontally in a way that earned him his Superman nickname. He got some limited big league time in 2013 and 2014 before fully cementing himself as a big leaguer in 2015.

That year, he got into 159 games for the Jays, producing a batting line of .278/.314/.399. His 94 wRC+ indicated he was 6% below league average at the plate, but that was more than adequate to pair with his other attributes. He stole 25 bases and received strong grades for his glovework, leading FanGraphs to credit him with 3.7 wins above replacement. That played a big role in getting the Jays to the postseason for the first time since 1993. Though the club was eventually felled by the Royals in the ALCS, the Jays got José Bautista’s legendary bat flip game along the way.

That would ultimately prove to be an apex for Pillar. He never again stole more than 15 bases nor topped a 90 wRC+ in a full season. But he still proved to be a useful player in generally the same shape, with his speed and defense making up for some subpar offense. From 2016 to 2018, he got into 442 games for the Jays, slashing .258/.296/.401 for an 86 wRC+ and producing 4.5 fWAR.

By the time the 2019 season had rolled around, Pillar was 30 years old and the Jays were rebuilding. Early that year, he was flipped to the Giants, which started the journeyman period of his career. Over the next few years, he would bounce to the Red Sox, Rockies, Mets, Dodgers, Braves, White Sox, Angels and Rangers. Though he had moved into his 30s, his performance was roughly the same as before, though with his glovework naturally slipping a bit. Over those 2019-25 seasons, he played 544 games and hit .246/.284/.415 for an 85 wRC+ and produced 2.4 fWAR.

Most recently, he had a stint with the Rangers but hit just .209/.209/.256 in 20 games before getting designated for assignment and released. He had flirted with retirement before but now seems to have decided that it’s time to hang up the spikes.

Any 32nd-round pick making it to the big leagues is exceedingly rare. In fact, the draft was shortened to 20 rounds a few years ago, so it likely won’t happen again. Pillar not only made it, but he got into 1,234 games over 13 seasons. He racked up 1,053 hits, including 114 home runs. He was credited with 10.8 WAR from FanGraphs and 16.1 from Baseball Reference. He earned about $25MM in his career, according to Baseball Reference. We at MLB Trade Rumors congratulate Pillar on an impressive career and wish him the best with whatever comes next.

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View Comments (50)
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50 Comments

  1. WadeBoggsWildRide

    9 hours ago

    Figured he would be starting for the Angels by now.

    6
    Reply
    • Acoss1331

      9 hours ago

      He did well in his time with them too. But, he got his 10 years of Service Time and will get his full pension. Not a bad career for Kevin!

      15
      Reply
    • kellin

      7 hours ago

      I doubt he’s even a reasonable replacement for Soler who just came off the IL. There’s just no place for him in the lineup right now.

      1
      Reply
  2. its_happening

    9 hours ago

    Played his heart out and played hard with the Blue Jays. We appreciated it.

    22
    Reply
    • Aaron Sapoznik

      8 hours ago

      Mazel tov to Kevin on a fine career. Wishing him and his family the best going forward. He still has a lot to offer to the game and will consider remaining in baseball in some capacity.

      3
      Reply
    • scottn59c

      7 hours ago

      He was best as a Blue Jay. But loved him in his stint with the Giants. Awesome player.

      3
      Reply
    • Ted

      4 hours ago

      I still love the way Pillar reacted to the Bautista-Odor fight. He came flying out like he was going to kill someone.

      Reply
      • NoSaint

        1 hour ago

        @Ted

        It was the fastball to the face thing for me. I’m pretty sure he just wanted to run some dirt on it then take his base.

        Reply
  3. MeowMeow

    9 hours ago

    Kevins Pillar and Kiermaier were great fun to watch out in CF even as an opposing fan. A little sad to see them both out of the game now.

    11
    Reply
    • FourTfour

      9 hours ago

      Still a little room on the PCA bandwagon.

      1
      Reply
      • MeowMeow

        9 hours ago

        Oh yeah he’s a super-exciting young player! Happy to see that his bat has really materialized this year; true 5-toolers such a rarity. But he’s not a consistent force in the AL East like the Kevins were.

        2
        Reply
        • Blue Baron

          5 hours ago

          MeowMeow: How can you say that? PCA is a much more consistent all-around force than they were.

          Reply
        • MeowMeow

          4 hours ago

          The “in the AL East” part was the big point. I saw the Kevins SO MUCH and I only see PCA occasionally. That’s not anything about their relative skill just my personal connection with their respective games.

          2
          Reply
  4. NYCityRiddler

    9 hours ago

    What took him so long? What a hack. Ahahahahaha!

    1
    Reply
    • Adrian 7

      9 hours ago

      Yup, a millionaire baseball player with a 10 year career that almost no one gets to do. What a hack indeed.

      18
      Reply
      • Gobraves88

        9 hours ago

        NYCityriddler- some people just love the game and don’t want to quit I respect it and to be honest he has had a great career so stop looking at the negatives.

        4
        Reply
      • baseballandbrews

        8 hours ago

        16.1 WAR and $25 millions in earnings. I wish I was a quarter of a hack.

        7
        Reply
      • Lloyd Emerson

        8 hours ago

        I’m pretty sure the only person who thinks Riddler is funny is Riddler.

        12
        Reply
        • nowheredan

          8 hours ago

          I don’t know why people bother responding to him. Ahahahaha! Yawn.

          6
          Reply
  5. Rsox

    9 hours ago

    6 months later than we thought but we knew it was coming.

    Decent career for Pillar, was pretty good for the Sox in his brief stay in Boston and was always fun to watch in CF with the Blue Jays

    3
    Reply
  6. how bout dem rangers

    9 hours ago

    Hall of famer in my heart.

    3
    Reply
  7. kevin_finnerty

    9 hours ago

    remember when he got drilled in the face. crazy

    2
    Reply
    • Sdubs

      5 hours ago

      Gamer. He was back quick. Pillar was an asset to every team he played for. Great career and best wishes to his next phase.

      Reply
  8. Lou Sassoll

    9 hours ago

    Nice career. Congrats Pillar!

    7
    Reply
  9. talking baseball

    9 hours ago

    He had a great year with the Giants and enjoyed his style of play. Gave 100% all the time !!!

    4
    Reply
  10. Non Roster Invitee

    9 hours ago

    He’ll be back.

    Reply
    • Blue Baron

      5 hours ago

      Non Roster: No he won’t. That’s what retirement means.

      Reply
      • Non Roster Invitee

        4 hours ago

        BB
        He retired once already.
        He initially thought 2024 would be his final year, but a thumb surgery and a desire to avoid ending his career with that surgery led him to sign a minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers for 2025..

        Reply
        • Blue Baron

          56 mins ago

          Nobody’s going to sign him now anyway.

          Reply
  11. MrMet62

    9 hours ago

    Tougher than nails! Thanks for all the great baseball! Have a great rest of your life!

    4
    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      4 hours ago

      Wherever Kevin goes, he will be a Pillar of the community.

      2
      Reply
      • Blue Baron

        57 mins ago

        🤣

        Reply
    • BoKnowsBonobos

      36 seconds ago

      He may be tougher than nails but is he as big of a scumbag?

      Reply
  12. 2183281

    9 hours ago

    I played against Pillar in college when he was at Dominguez Hills. He was a stud, really cool dude too. We chatted a bit before one of the games. Congrats on a great career, Kevin.

    4
    Reply
  13. HalosHeavenJJ

    8 hours ago

    One of the best highlight reels in recent history. Web gem after web gem.

    Was a great influence on the youngsters here as well.

    Happy trails, Pillar.

    6
    Reply
  14. Wilmer the Thrillmer

    8 hours ago

    Pillar had a nice season with the Giants. He couldn’t lay off the outside pitch and didn’t draw many bases on balls but above all he played with passion and was a fun player to watch.

    After 15 games this season he was batting .300 but an 0 for 13 did him in combined with not drawing a walk all season.

    Nonetheless an excellent career. Have fun in your next chapter Superman!

    Reply
  15. LLGiants64

    8 hours ago

    Had a great year with the Giants. Very enjoyable to watch him play defense.

    Reply
  16. bjhaas1977

    8 hours ago

    A real pleasure to root for when with the Mets! Tough as nails player. Enjoy your retirement with your family.

    4
    Reply
  17. BlueSkies_LA

    8 hours ago

    I was wondering why I couldn’t remember Pillar’s time with the Dodgers. Probably because it lasted all of four games.

    Reply
  18. mlb fan

    8 hours ago

    A Hall of Famer in my book. But, I am extremely, extremely biased, because Pillar always came thru for me in “MLB The Show”. Clutch too.

    Reply
  19. The first

    7 hours ago

    #kevinpillarlivesmatter

    1
    Reply
  20. waelse1

    7 hours ago

    Tough player, I remember a Braves pitcher hitting him in the face with a pitch, fracturing it, and he got mad when the Mets manager wouldn’t play him the next day. Enjoy your retirement Kevin.

    4
    Reply
  21. gr81t2

    7 hours ago

    Thought he retired a long time ago

    2
    Reply
    • fox471 Dave

      5 hours ago

      Pay attention.

      Reply
  22. Aoe3

    7 hours ago

    Was a good part of the BlueJays during their 2015-2016 post season runs.

    1
    Reply
  23. fox471 Dave

    5 hours ago

    Best of luck in all your future endeavors, Mr. Pillar. You were a really good ballplayer.

    Reply
  24. darthdragula

    4 hours ago

    A surprising number of haters on this thread for Pillar. Well, I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. Well screw them idiots…I’m here to celebrate a great guy and one of the most exciting ball players I ever saw for a 5 year stretch in my close to 50 years of religiously following baseball. If someone doesn’t appreciate what Kevin Pillar did during his heyday with Toronto then too bad for them. I’m a Dodger fan, but watching Pillar patrol center field for Toronto during the late teens was a special treat. He gave it his all every game and made some of the best highlight reel catches in baseball for a half decade. He also provided some pop at the plate and was a good base runner and by every account I heard, a terrific teammate as well. You don’t last a decade in the majors without bringing something useful and Pillar hustled and got more out of his talent than most big leaguers. I wish Pillar the best of luck in whatever he chooses to do next and thank him for making the game better.

    Reply
  25. Skillz

    4 hours ago

    Giants fan here. Pillar led our 2019 team (by far) with 87 RBI and tied for the team lead with 21 HR. Possibly the only time in his career he could make those claims. Good Giant.

    Reply
  26. bestone

    4 hours ago

    A fan favourite in Toronto. Still see the Pillar jerseys in the stands.
    Best wishes on a well deserved retirement!

    Maybe some broadcasting in the future?

    Reply
  27. This one belongs to the Reds

    1 hour ago

    Congrats to Kevin Pillar on a fine career. Got his ten and his pension. I am envious of all those guys who got to hang around the bigs that long.

    Reply

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