Kevin Pilar’s reputation as a defensive vision in center field strongly contributed to the Mets’ decision to sign this offseason, but the Matrix told another story.
According to Statcast, as recently as 2018 a plus defender at center, who measures above average – the 32-year-old Pilar regained the last two seasons to the point at which he was better suited for one of the corner’s outfield spots Can be favorable This is a turning point in his career.
“If anyone can sit me in the room and tell me how I can improve X, Y and Z,” Pilar said Saturday after a team workout in Port St. Lucie, Fla. .
“I feel like I can still play at a higher level in center field. I think after being in this league for a long time, my biggest strength is experience and understanding the swings and how the pitchers want to get people out. “
As it stands, Brandon Nemo will likely play left side with Dominic Smith most of the time in center field, but it could also change the dynamic if a universally named hitter is implemented. With DH in the National League, Nimmo could go to the left, giving Pilar a chance to play at center more often.
Pilar was, according to Statcast, above-average as a center fielder last season when he played for the Rockies and Red Sox. Last year, he was zero to two at center for the Blue Jay and Giants. At its peak in 2016, Pilar was an extra-11 above average at center for the Blue Jem. Nimmo was minus four last season above average as a center fielder.
Finding a center-field defense was a priority this offseason for the Mets, who also signed Albert Almora Jr., a plus defender who doesn’t hit enough to warrant steady play. In Pilar, the Mets get a better at-bat – they had a slash line of .288 / / .336 / -462 last year, the best offensive season of their career.
Pilar called it a “difficult” year in which he was non-tendered by the Giants as he was about to enter his final season of arbitration eligibility.
“What I needed to improve, especially on the offensive side of the ball, was something that I don’t think was a coincidence last year,” Pilar said of his bounce. “I think it was something that was learned. I looked at the areas in my game that needed to be improved and I worked hard in offseason, in spring training, and in areas that needed to be improved.
Pilar suspects that some of his regressions in center field may be tied for leaving Toronto, where he was comfortable, and then bouncing around for three different teams in a short period of time.
“There are things I’m obviously familiar with, things I’m working on to improve my butt, but ultimately I think you have the greatest appreciation as a player, especially a defender Maybe, do your pitchers want you there. ” Pilar said. He said, ‘I never had a complaint about playing the outfield. They want me and I know that I am going to work hard every single day and that is the focus for me, just to prove to people that I can still play at a high level. “
Mets manager Luis Rojas is familiar with Pilar from winter ball in the Caribbean, but said it is difficult to outfit whether the organization lost anything defensively in just one week at camp.
“Equipment-wise that sounds fine,” Rojas said. “We know he has been a plus outfielder, I think that is the value he is bringing here. We plan to give him exposure in center field and right and left during the camp as well, but I Haven’t seen anything that I can share with you right now: when it was when we saw him making Superman catches and highlights or where he was right now. “
Whatever his role, Pilar says he is thrilled to play for a team that has a chance to win.
“Maybe it took a while [to sign] Because this team is trying to win and they figured out every possible income before making this decision. “They are trying to win now and I feel that as a player, this is where I am in my career and a place where I want to be.”
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