SAN FRANCISCO – After Tuesday night’s game, Kevin Pillar spoke about how being traded to the Giants has affected him, and attributed his recent success to unburdening his mind from things off the baseball field.
In his first week as a San Francisco Giant, Pillar has reflected on his shock and disappointment when his first and only Major League team, the Toronto Blue Jays, let him go. Pillar had planned on starting and ending his career in Toronto, but ultimately his family was his number one concern.
“I think just getting settled in and getting my roots settled here, getting my family settled in. It’s a big part of it,” Pillar said. “It’s really important to me to make sure they’re comfortable, that I’m comfortable and I was able to do that over the past couple days.”
Pillar also spoke about how getting a full day at Oracle Park allowed him to really settle in as a player as well.
“I think finally having a night game, getting here, and getting a chance to sit down with these hitting coaches. Going over what I do well, what I’ve struggled with early on in the year, what I’ve done well in the past, and really just trying to focus on my strengths right now.”
Pillar also had to make sure he had “his moment,” to get off to a good start with fans and players alike. Pillar was pleased that he’s been able to make defensive and offensive contributions early on.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy has also been pleased with Pillar’s performance in their first homestead of the season.
“We’re a better club with these two guys,” Bochy said about Pillar and new acquisition Tyler Austin. “It gives us a better lineup, more depth, and we’re more dangerous. These guys got pop.”
Bochy has full confidence in his current outfield, a problem that Giants have patched with platooning over the past few years. Bochy has said that the positioning of Parra, Pillar, and Duggar is making what he considers to be the best defensive outfield he’s managed, and even claimed it to be the best defensive outfield in the MLB after Tuesday’s game. This tour de defense is something Bochy is hoping will send waves of confidence throughout the clubhouse.
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