The Milwaukee Brewers offense has been a better than past years. The major reason: William Contreras. Contreras is proving to not only be versatile but turning into a star. He’s coming not only for the best C in baseball mantle but is a bonafide MVP candidate.
Brewers C William Contreras becoming MLB star
Thank your lucky stars each day for William Contreras. The Milwaukee Brewers plucked Contreras and two relievers (including Joel Payamps) and only gave up Esteury Ruiz in a 3-team trade before last season. Contreras is staking his claim as the top catcher in all of baseball. In fact, he’s not only coming for the positional crown but is garnering looks at MVP if he continues his torrid play.
Contreras backed up a solid 2023 campaign with a blistering first month of the season. In 2023, Contreras hit .287 with a .367 on-base percentage with 17 homers and 78 runs batted in. He has followed up his first-year as a full-time starting catcher with start to 2024 to remember.
Back in Spring Training, @Brewers manager Pat Murphy projected William Contreras as an MVP contender.
So far, so good. #ThisIsMyCrew I @Wcontreras42 pic.twitter.com/J7RnsRS38M
— Mike Vassallo (@MikeVassallo13) April 15, 2024
We will get to the offense. However, Contreras isn’t a one-way player. Contreras does his share with the lumber, but he’s also spectacular behind the dish since arriving in Milwaukee. He is helping along an inexperienced rotation dealing with injuries. The constant for Milwaukee is Contreras, who has played in every game this season. While he hasn’t been great throwing out runners in Milwaukee, Contreras is an elite pitch framer and at blocking balls in the dirt.
William Contreras currently #1 in the bigs in FanGraphs framing runs metric.
Last 2 seasons combined, he was the 10th-worst framer in baseball among a sample of 81 backstops.#Brewers catcher devil magic. https://t.co/QAlhqKUtzY
— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) April 18, 2023
With a young staff, that is key for them to have confidence in their backstop. Contreras not only calls a good game, but his pitchers believe he’s blocking pitches in the dirt. He wasn’t good at that in Atlanta, but the Brewers do wonders with catchers defensively.
A season ago Contreras had a solid year at the dish, but it was his defense that made him a top-15 WAR player in MLB. He had 7 runs saved above average with pitch framing. This season with how he has stormed out of the gates, Contreras is in the conversation as an early-MVP candidate.
Brewers C doing damage with his bat
Contreras is stellar behind the plate. Thus far in 2024, he might be even better using the lumber. Contreras has become the most feared bat in the Brewers’ lineup and that’s with an improved offense. He still is a bit underappreciated across MLB. Many think he’s a good player but not great. Well, Contreras is right where he belongs then Milwaukee! Contreras should be considered the best C in baseball right now.
Whether it’s getting on base, a clutch hit or power, Contreras is showing it all at the plate as illustrated Saturday with a 13-pitch at-bat culminating with a 3-run go-ahead homer off Justin Verlander.
What a season William Contreras is having!
After a 13-pitch AB, he gives the @Brewers the lead with a 3-run shot. pic.twitter.com/RDAj7hKyP7
— MLB (@MLB) May 19, 2024
Contreras entered play Monday with seven homers, 37 RBI and is hitting over .340 with a 172 OPS+. He boasts a .416 on-base percentage with a .538 slugging good for a .955 OPS. Contreras has also reached base in all but four games this season.
One overlooked aspect for Contreras is he doesn’t need consistency or a specific lineup spot. He has hit in the 3-spot, he has hit leadoff or No. 2 depending on what the team needs. With Christian Yelich missing time, Rhys Hoskins on the IL and the need for some consistency at the top, Contreras’ versatility is nice to have in this lineup.
It doesn’t take him out of his game.
Due to his two-way game, Contrearas currently has a 2.5 WAR according to FanGraphs, good for 7th in MLB. This is after a breakout season with a 5.7 WAR, which was 11th in MLB and tops among catchers. He also already has 25 runs above replacement level per Baseball Reference.
Contreras showing all-around game nightly
The brewers acquired Contreras surrendering just a minor league OFer. Contreras has flourished in Milwaukee and is showing his all-around game, not only at the plate but behind it at as well. After being known simply for his bat in Atlanta, Contreras has become an elite pitch framer in Milwaukee.
William Contreras:
🔵 9-game hit streak
🔵 23-game on-base streak
🔵 Reached base in 40 of 43 games
🔵 1st in NL in runs
🔵 2nd in averageBest catcher in baseball. pic.twitter.com/8t486sEGiK
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 15, 2024
His two-way game is a pleasure to watch. Contreras is also versatile at the plate. He hits for average, gets on base, has pop and shortens up to make contact in critical situations. Contreras is also consistent and steady providing value each night for the Brewers.
People started to take notice a season ago and Contreras is leaving them no choice this year. Not only is Contreras making a claim to be the best catcher in baseball, but he is also vying to be a Most Valuable Player.
