In Chicago, there’s no question all eyes are on Tennessee for the Cubs’ eventual long-term catcher. But while the team and the fans focus on Kyle Schwarber, the guy he shares the position with is having a pretty good season himself. Willson Contreras, at 23, is in his first Double-A campaign as well and is right behind Schwarber in batting average and has just three fewer extra-base hits.
“It makes me work harder,” Contreras said. “I don’t have any competition against him (Schwarber). He’s a good player. I don’t have any pressure on myself. I’m here right now and I want to play the game the right way.”
Tennessee Mashes Montgomery 8-1: Tennessee designated hitter Willson Contreras collected three hits and join c… http://t.co/SixZAFePCD
— ⚾CUBS/MLB REPORT🐻 (@BruceCCarlson) May 15, 2015
Contreras was a find for the Cubs, signed at 17-years old in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. His family is still there and he plays winter-ball in the Venezuelan league with a mix of young prospects and veterans with major league resumes. Succeeding there has given Contreras a head start on his Double-A competition.
“In Venezuela, you’re facing guys that are sometimes 35-36 years old and have 10-11 years in the big leagues,” Contreras said. “They know how to strike people out, how to pitch against a hitter. It makes a lot of difference.”
Coming into Tuesday night, Contreres is hitting .311 with nine doubles, two triples, two home runs and 14 RBIs. Earlier in the season when the Smokies played other National League clubs, Contreras and Schwarber would swap nights behind the dish. Now that Tennessee is in the American League part of its schedule, both catchers trade slots at designated hitter, with Schwarber getting three nights at catcher in every five-game series.
Willson Contreras continues to rake going: 2-4, 3B, 2 RBI. He is hitting .337 on the year. #CubsProspects
— John Carter (@CoachMillerWP) May 12, 2015
While Contreras is having no trouble with his bat, his experience in Venezuela playing with former major league pitchers can be an issue in Tennessee. Contreres sometimes expects too much from a 22-year old pitcher who’s in the process of developing his first real compliment of pitches outside his fastball.
“He (Contreras) needs to get a little better calling the game but that’s part of the process,” Smokies manager Buddy Bailey said. “Sometimes he wants to trick people instead of doing the best thing. He’s a solid defensive catcher. He blocks really well. He throws well. The biggest thing is learning his own pitchers and what they can do in situations. Sometimes he asks them to do things they can’t do and maybe shouldn’t be trying to do at this stage in their career.”
The biggest issue for Contreras, with the Cubs at least, is he’s in a crowded position with the heir-apparent batting in front of him in the Double-A line-up. The Cubs traded for catcher Miguel Montero this offseason to start for the big league club and he’s little more than a placeholder for Schwarber, who’ll likely make his major league debut in the next two years.
Recap: Texas vs. Chicago Cubs: Wilson Contreras hit a two-run triple as part of an eight-run ninth inning to … http://t.co/amIRzOsjR7
— Sun Herald (@sunherald) March 31, 2015
Montero will be gone as a free agent when his contract is up by then and the Cubs two-catcher will probably be Raphael Lopez, who’s a better defensive catcher than Contreras but doesn’t have nearly the offensive firepower. Contreras’ time with the Smokies is an audition for other teams, either to be picked up in the Rule 5 Draft or in a trade. Contreras has already survived one Rule 5 after batting .242 in High-A last season. He won’t make it past another one.
“My development started in winter ball,” Contreras said. “They have good pitchers. It was mental work. I worked on my approach. I worked on studying the pitcher, what he was doing with his fastball and his breaking ball. In Venezuela I learned how to approach a pitcher like it was the big leagues. I learned how to hit a breaking ball, how to hit a sinker and how to be patient in my at-bats and always try to get a good pitch to hit.”
Contreras is reaping the benefit of his hard work. Other teams have undoubtedly taken notice.
Moves
The Cubs are putting a couple of young prospects on the fast track, sending both Billy McKinny and Bryant Flete to Tennessee over the last week. McKinney opened the season as the Cubs’ No. 6-ranked prospect.
