Kevin Pillar: Deep Waiver Wire Pickup

Apr 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar (11) hits an RBI single during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays have adapted well to injury this season. The team has been carried by the other young outfielders. One of them in particular should be added in more leagues. If he’s available, grab Kevin Pillar off the waiver wire. 

More from FanSided

• Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
• Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
• Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
• Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
• MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle

The Blue Jays were without Michael Saunders for the first 17 games of the season. He has since come back, but isn’t the player he was with the Seattle Mariners. As a result, Pillar and others have stepped up and carried the offense.

In 28 games, Pillar has 29 hits, 16 runs scored, one home run, 14 RBI, five stolen bases and a .269/.301/.398 line. Pillar had a six-game hit streak from April 27 to May 2, four of them were multi-hit games. In that span, he hit five doubles and a triple, helping those using SLG or OPS as a hitting stat.

Pillar is an automatic add in AL-only leagues and deep mixed leagues. As long as he keeps hit bat hot, he becomes a deep add in standard leagues. Pillar isn’t much of a power guy, but he is someone who can get on base and score runs. Hitting behind the Blue Jays’ power hitters Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, there will be plenty of opportunities to drive in runs. 

More from Fantasy Baseball

• 5 fantasy baseball waiver wire pivots to replace Triston McKenzie
• Fantasy baseball mock draft 2023, 12-team: Aaron Judge over Trea Turner?
• 3 fantasy baseball sleepers being drafted too late
• NBA DFS picks December 25: Merry Bucking Christmas
• Fantasy Baseball: Hot pitchers worthy of starting this weekend

Despite his recent success, Pillar is still owned in less than half of ESPN.com leagues, 41.9 percent to be exact. There has been an increase of 38.6 percent over the last week. I give the benefit of the doubt to those in more shallow leagues who don’t need him.

If you need production from your fourth of fifth outfielder, Pillar is a guy you need to be looking at. In the middle of one of the best offenses in the league, he has it all. Contact, power, speed, defense. Pillar will be a top-30 outfielder by the end of the season.