© Brett Davis | 2021 May 17
You are unlikely to see a scarier play on a baseball field this season. Or maybe ever.
Former Giants fan favorite Kevin Pillar, now a member of the Mets, was hit square in the face by a 94.5-mph fastball from Braves reliever Jacob Webb on Monday. Pillar immediately fell to the ground with blood gushing from his face.
Kevin Pillar got hit in the face by a Jacob Webb fastball.
Amazingly, he walked off under his own power.
Still, a frightening scene nonetheless. pic.twitter.com/6kPINtKIYn
— Ryan Field (@RyanFieldABC) May 18, 2021
After laying on the ground for a short time, Pillar miraculously left the field under his own power with a towel covering his face.
Scary scene at Truist Park after Mets player Kevin Pillar gets hit in the face with a pitch. pic.twitter.com/LriIV4ESB5
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) May 18, 2021
Webb was clearly shaken up by the incident both on the field and in the dugout afterwards.
Braves coaches Kevin Seitzer and Rick Kranitz have spent the past half-inning on the dugout bench talking with Jacob Webb ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/btCcycS4iI
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) May 18, 2021
This is not the first time Pillar has been hit in the face. During his time with the Giants in 2019, Pillar was drilled in the chin with a 97-mph fastball, an incident that frightened him to the point that he contemplated wearing a new helmet that wrapped around his chin.
“Felt like it was something I definitely wanted to try out in spring training next year to get comfortable with, and maybe that timeline gets sped up a little right now,” said Pillar then. “Having that happen, in hindsight, if I had it on, it’s something that would’ve protected me.”
Ultimately, Pillar never made the change. It stands to reason after Monday’s incident he might.
Pillar took to Twitter after the game to let everyone know he’s doing okay as he and the Mets await the results of a CT scan.
Thanks to everyone that has reached out! Scary moment but I’m doing fine! #RBI #gamewinner ????
— Kevin Pillar (@KPILLAR4) May 18, 2021