Kevin Pillar’s rapid rise through the Toronto Blue Jays’ farm system has earned him a promotion to the big-leagues.
The Blue Jays officially selected Pillar’s contract Wednesday.
The outfielder thanked friends and family for their support and wrote that he’s heading to Toronto, where the Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox will play Wednesday.
In related moves, the Blue Jays traded Emilio Bonifacio to the Kansas City Royals, recalled infielder Munenori Kawasaki, and placed Colby Rasmus on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain (full story on roster moves).
Pillar spent the 2013 season with double-A New Hampshire and triple-A Buffalo, hitting .307/.353/.461 with nine home runs and 39 doubles in 545 total plate appearances.
Pillar, a right-handed hitter, has played all three outfield positions in 2013. The 24-year-old has a .387/.419/.577 batting line against left-handed pitching this year, which suggests he could be a weapon against southpaws.
Pillar, who was originally selected in the 32nd round of the 2011 amateur draft, has yet to play at the MLB level.
