Former World Series champion William Contreras is proving to be a strong, durable leader for the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers. Contreras, 26, continues to live up to his reputation as one of the premier catchers in Major League Baseball. Appearing to be in top form and on a mission to improve upon last year’s performance that garnered both team MVP and Silver Slugger Award honors, he has showcased his durability in playing all 28 games.
William Contreras Proving To Be Reliable Leader for Brewers
The former All-Star and member of the 2021 World Series champion Atlanta Braves remains a productive offensive leader for Milwaukee. He has a .348 batting average and a .545 slugging percentage, generating 39 hits with 26 runs scored, seven doubles, five home runs, and 22 RBI.
“He got traded over to the @Brewers, and since he’s been there he has been nothing short of fantastic.”@Anthony_Recker looks at William Contreras’ season and the adjustments he has made to reach the next level offensively. pic.twitter.com/QFrfaeOxu4
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 27, 2024
In his second year with the Brewers after being acquired in a trade, Contreras has lived up to the billing as a strong, consistent force at the plate. He is currently ranked fourth in the NL in batting average, registering at least one hit in 22 of 28 games this season with a major league-leading 13 multi-hit games to his credit. In a 12-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners at American Family Field on April 7, he achieved an individual season-high four hits and two home runs, the fourth multi-homer game of his career.
Contreras, the younger brother of current St. Louis Cardinals All-Star catcher and World Series champion Willson Contreras, maintains a humble but driven approach. “I try to come in and not be overconfident in myself,” said the Spanish-speaking Contreras via an interpreter in a spring training with David Adler of MLB.com. He added, “I know I am one of the best catchers, but it’s always on my mind that I haven’t achieved anything this season. I haven’t done anything. And I come to work hard every day.”
Fifth-Year Major League Veteran Striving For Excellence
Contreras played in a career-high 141 games in 2023, tying for fourth among catchers with 108 appearances behind the plate. In the process, he established himself as a viable multi-talented offensive and defensive threat for the defending NL Central Division champions. Despite last season’s post-season accolades, Contreras is quick to point out that it’s all about improvement each time stepping on the field. Said Contreras, “I am a player who wants to enjoy the game, enjoy every moment playing ball and the results will come on their own.” He then added, “I have my own goals. I would like to be in the All-Star Game, and win the division again with the team. I’m going to compete for the Silver Slugger, which I want to win again after last year, and the Gold Glove.”
Last season, he boasted a .289 batting average with 156 hits, 86 runs scored, 17 home runs, and 78 RBI while at the same time gaining a reputation defensively as one of the league’s top pitch framers and receivers.
William Contreras leads the majors in multi-hit games so far this season.@Brewers | #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/lnkM6I0vlJ
— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) April 29, 2024
The Brewers are currently 17-11 overall but remain half a game out of first within the highly contested division race. Contreras, a 2022 All-Star selection, has been a steady influence on a young, aggressive, hard-hitting club that is fifth in all of baseball with a .255 team batting average. With 2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich still recovering from back problems and the team enduring a three-game losing streak, his ongoing leadership will be invaluable moving forward.
Photo Credit: © Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
