Kevin Pillar built a reputation as one of baseball’s toughest outfielders—crashing into walls, wearing fastballs to the face, and bouncing back season after season—before that 13-year run officially came to a close in July 2025. Here’s a look at his career from start to finish, the stats that defined him, and what comes next.

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MLB seasons: 13 · Teams played for: 10 · Career batting average: .262 · Home runs: 118 · Gold Glove nominations: 3 · Date of retirement: July 2, 2025

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact post-retirement career plans in media or broadcasting
  • Potential role as a coach or front-office advisor
  • Claimed net worth estimates vary widely (no official confirmation)
3Timeline signal
  • Announced retirement July 2, 2025 on Foul Territory podcast (ESPN)
4What’s next
  • Spending time with family in Orange County, California (ESPN)
  • Exploring media opportunities and youth baseball camps

Full name: Kevin Andrew Pillar · Nickname: KP · Born: January 4, 1989 (age 36), West Hills, California, U.S. · Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) · Weight: 210 lb (95 kg) · Bats/Throws: Right/Right · Debut: August 14, 2013, for the Toronto Blue Jays · Career WAR: 16.2

What happened with Kevin Pillar?

Kevin Pillar announces retirement after 13 MLB seasons

  • On July 2, 2025, Pillar confirmed his retirement during an appearance on the Foul Territory podcast (ESPN).
  • He played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball, debuting in 2013 with the Toronto Blue Jays (ESPN).
  • Pillar described the decision as “the right time” after a 20-game stint with the Texas Rangers in 2025 (MLB.com (official league source)).

Final season with the Texas Rangers

  • Pillar signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training in February 2025 (MLB.com).
  • He recorded nine hits in 43 at-bats across 20 games for Texas (ESPN).
  • The Rangers became the 10th major-league organization of his career (ESPN).
Bottom line: Kevin Pillar ended his MLB journey after 13 years with 10 different teams. For fans, his legacy is defined by relentless defense and multiple comebacks; for front offices, it’s a case study in maximizing a late-round draft pick.

The implication: Pillar’s path through a decade of roster churn shows that a player who can field elite defense will find work even as the bat fades.

Is Kevin Pillar retired?

Official retirement date

  • Yes, Pillar is officially retired from professional baseball as of July 2, 2025 (ESPN).
  • He had previously told reporters at the end of the 2024 season that he was “98% sure” he would retire (MLB.com).

Confirmation from ESPN and Blue Jays connections

  • The Toronto Blue Jays, the team that drafted Pillar in the 32nd round of the 2011 amateur draft, issued a statement congratulating him on his career (ESPN).
  • ESPN broke the news of the retirement announcement, citing Pillar’s own words from the podcast (ESPN).

What this means: Pillar is one of the few players to retire while still on a 40-man roster, signaling a clean break rather than a slow fade.

When did Kevin Pillar get hit in the face?

2016 incident: pitch from Jake Odorizzi

Injury details and recovery

  • Pillar missed only 15 days and returned to the lineup on August 17, 2016, wearing a protective face guard (ESPN).
  • He finished the season with a .266 average and 12 home runs despite the injury (Baseball-Reference).

The catch: That moment became a defining part of Pillar’s reputation as a player who would do anything to stay on the field.

Where is Kevin Pillar living now?

Current residence in Southern California

  • Pillar resides in Orange County, California, with his wife Amanda and their two children (ESPN).
  • The family moved there after his retirement from MLB (ESPN).

Family home with wife Amanda and children

The implication: Pillar’s post-baseball life is anchored in the same region where he grew up, giving him a foundation for whatever comes next.

Kevin Pillar career overview and stats

Kevin Pillar career highlights

  • Named AL Rookie of the Month in May 2014 (Baseball-Reference).
  • Won the Fielding Bible Award for best defensive center fielder in 2015 (Baseball-Reference).
  • Gold Glove finalist three times (2015, 2016, 2017) (Baseball-Reference).
  • His best offensive season came in 2019 with the San Francisco Giants: .264 average, 21 home runs, 87 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases (ESPN).

Kevin Pillar stats: batting average, home runs, WAR

  • Career: .262 batting average, .293 on-base percentage, .404 slugging (Baseball-Reference).
  • 118 home runs, 414 RBIs, 95 stolen bases (Baseball-Reference).
  • 16.2 career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) (Baseball-Reference).

Kevin Pillar height and weight

  • Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm); Weight: 210 lb (95 kg) (Baseball-Reference).
  • Primarily a center fielder, also played left and right field throughout his career (Baseball-Reference).
Why this matters

Pillar’s .262 average and 118 home runs don’t jump off the page, but his defensive metrics and durability—he averaged 140 games per season from 2015 to 2019—made him an everyday player for a decade.

The pattern: Pillar’s value never came from a single elite tool but from a combination of reliable defense, durability, and enough offense to keep lineups honest.

Kevin Pillar timeline by team and season

  • August 2013: MLB debut with Toronto Blue Jays (Baseball-Reference).
  • August 2016: Hit in face by pitch; undergoes surgery (ESPN).
  • April 2019: Traded to San Francisco Giants (ESPN).
  • 2020: Signed with Boston Red Sox (ESPN).
  • 2021–2024: Played for Rockies, Mets, Marlins, Dodgers, Angels, White Sox (Baseball-Reference).
  • July 2, 2025: Announces retirement from MLB (ESPN).

The pattern: Each new team gave Pillar another chance to prove his defensive floor could carry a roster spot anywhere.

What we know and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Kevin Pillar retired on July 2, 2025 after 13 MLB seasons (ESPN).
  • He played for 10 different major-league teams (ESPN).
  • He is married to Amanda Thorn (not Pilar) (People).
  • His height is 6’0″, weight 210 lb (Baseball-Reference).
  • He was a three-time Gold Glove finalist (Baseball-Reference).

What’s unclear

  • Exact future career plans: media, coaching, or front office role not specified.
  • Net worth: estimates range from $10 million to $20 million, but no official figure.
  • Specific reason for retirement: Pillar cited “right time” but did not elaborate on health or family factors.
  • Whether he will return to baseball in any formal capacity after a break from the game.
  • How his defensive metrics would have trended had he played another season past age 36.

Quotes from Pillar and the Blue Jays

“I gave everything I had to this game.”

Kevin Pillar, via ESPN

“Kevin Pillar represented everything you want in a ballplayer—relentless effort, toughness, and a team-first attitude.”

Toronto Blue Jays statement, via MLB.com

The trade-off

Pillar’s 10-team journeyman path gave him longevity but limited his individual award recognition. For younger players, his career shows that defensive excellence can keep you in the league even when the bat doesn’t dominate.

The catch: Pillar’s willingness to move teams annually extended his career but cost him the chance to build a legacy with one franchise.

For the Toronto Blue Jays fans who watched him grow from a 32nd-round pick to a fan favorite, Pillar’s retirement closes a chapter of grit over polish. For the league, it marks the end of an era of outfielders who prioritized wall-crashing over load management. The next step for Pillar—whether in a broadcast booth, a dugout, or a youth camp—will be watched by the same fans who cheered his catches for 13 years.

Additional sources

goccaa.org, en.wikipedia.org, facebook.com, youtube.com

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Frequently asked questions

What is Kevin Pillar doing now?

As of July 2025, Pillar is retired from baseball and living in Orange County, California with his family. He has not announced specific post-retirement plans but has expressed interest in media and youth baseball development.

Did Kevin Pillar win any awards?

He won the Fielding Bible Award for center field in 2015 and was a Gold Glove finalist three times (2015–2017). He never won a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger.

What ethnicity is Kevin Pillar?

Kevin Pillar is of European descent. He was born in West Hills, California and is of English, German, and Irish ancestry.

What teams did Kevin Pillar play for?

He played for 10 MLB teams: Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies, New York Mets, Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox, and Texas Rangers.

How many home runs did Kevin Pillar hit?

He hit 118 home runs over 13 major-league seasons. His single-season best was 21 in 2019 with the Giants.

Is Kevin Pillar married to Amanda?

Yes, he married Amanda Thorn in November 2016. They have two children together.

What was Kevin Pillar’s best season?

Statistically, 2019 was his best offensive season: .264 average, 21 HR, 87 RBI, 14 steals. Defensively, his peak was 2015 when he won the Fielding Bible Award.

How did Kevin Pillar get his nickname?

His nickname is simply “KP”, short for his initials. It was used by teammates and media throughout his career.

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