2) Kevin Pillar
Kevin Pillar is mostly remembered as a slick-fielding center fielder who made some Spider-Man-esque catches at the wall for the Toronto Blue Jays, the team he has played by far the most games of his career for. However, he was the Mets’ starting center fielder in 2021 after bouncing around with the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, and Colorado Rockies between 2019 and 2020.
Pillar was their Opening Day center fielder, as he went 1-5 on the day. He would go on to post a .231/.277/.415 triple-slash, .297 wOBA, and 88 wRC+ in 347 plate appearances. He provided some solid power with 15 home runs and a .189 isolated slugging percentage. While his fielding wasn’t what it was at his peak with the Blue Jays, he was about league average with only -1 defensive run saved, -1 out above average, and a +0.4 UZR/150.
Pillar’s most memorable moment with the Mets may also be one of the most unfortunate moments of his career. On May 17th, Pillar got hit in the face by a 94 MPH pitch from Atlanta Braves’ right-hander Jacob Webb. The veteran outfielder suffered multiple nasal fractures to his nose, but he made a miraculous comeback just two weeks later. Although Pillar was still recovering from the fractures, he wore a face guard over his nose, including a clear one, and one that looked like it came straight from a Batman movie.
Pillar’s 2021 season would be his only year spent with the Mets. Since then, he has suited up for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, and Los Angeles Angels. Even though it seemed like 2024 would be his final season in the big leagues, Pillar decided to forgo retirement for now and signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers in late February.