Willson Contreras

Position: C
Born: 5/13/1992
Height: 6'1
Weight: 175
B/T: R/R
Acquired: Signed as an international free agent (Venezuela) on July 2, 2009 (CHC).

Most Recent Stats at Time of Debut
CURRENT SEASON STATS: Hitting .350 with nine homers, 43 RBIs and four steals at Iowa (Triple-A) along with 16 doubles for a .439 OBP and .591 SLG.

Info & MLB Debut Date
Recalled from Iowa on June 17 when C Tim Federowicz was designated for assignment.
MLB Debut Date: 6/17/2016

Debut Details
June 17, in a 6-0 win over the Pirates. A late defensive replacement for starter Miguel Montero, he came on to catch the ninth inning and did not bat. He got his first at-bat two nights later, June 19, in a 10-5 win over the Pirates, pinch-hitting for starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks in the sixth inning. In that at-bat, he blasted a two-out two-run homer to center field on the first pitch he saw from Pittsburgh reliever A.J. Schuegel.

Player Notes
Contreras has been highly regarded for his strong arm, which prompted powers that be to move him from third base to behind the plate in 2012. He matches that defensive prowess with his bat, having won the Southern League batting title when he hit .333 with eight homers and 75 RBIs and 34 doubles in 126 games at Tennessee (Double-A) in 2015, posting a .413 OBP and .478 SLG. A member of the Arizona Fall League’s All-Prospect Team after the 2015 campaign, as well as a participant in that league’s Rising Stars Game, he led all minor league catchers in batting average in 2015. One interesting note about Contreras and the fact that he’s remained in the Cubs’ system since signing with them in 2009: Because his original 2009 contract was voided and he had to re-sign, he has technically been eligible for the Rule 5 Draft every year since then.

2080 Notes
Contreras checked in at No. 51 on 2080 Baseball’s Preseason Top 125 Prospect Ranking List, where C.J. Wittmann had this to say about him: ‘Contreras’ surprise 2015 season turned a lot of heads, with a .333 average and .891 OPS over a full Double-A season. He has plus athleticism and big-time bat speed, but he must learn the finer points of catcher defense, as he is still raw behind the plate’. In addition, check out our Prospect Spotlight on Contreras, written by Nick J. Faleris.