The Milwaukee Brewers have had four players win the MVP award during their careers with the team. Christian Yelich was the last to do it in 2018, Ryan Braun won it in 2011, Robin Yount won it in both 1989 and 1982, and Rollie Fingers was the first to do it in 1981. This year GM Matt Arnold says one of his players is competing as an MVP candidate.
Milwaukee Brewers GM Matt Arnold says one of his star players is competing as an MVP candidate.
In an article published by The Athletic that features the success that William Contreras is having there is a line from GM Matt Arnold saying that he is competing as an MVP candidate. One year ago, Contreras’ first with Milwaukee, he put together a season featuring a .825 OPS, 125 OPS+, 17 home runs, 78 RBI, and was viewed as one of the best defensive catchers in the game. As a result he did receive MVP votes and finished 11th overall.
“He’s just been a tremendous talent for us — and he’s competing as an MVP candidate, honestly.”
-Brewers GM Matt Arnold
William Contreras is a leader for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Although star outfielder Christian Yelich has the big contract and 2018 MVP hardware he doesn’t get viewed as the on-field leader of the team. Shortstop Willy Adames, who was acquired through trade in 2021, has had that captain presence about him since arriving. Now William Contreras is starting to look like that same leader as him and Adames will often show up early to the ballpark in order to get extra work in, they both want to play every day, and their love for the game is visibly evident.
Where does William Contreras rank among other potential MVP candidates this 2024 season?
Entering play on Friday, May 10 here is how William Contreras’ statistics match up when compared to other potential MVP candidates. Contreras is the only catcher among this group.
- William Contreras: .340/.414/.517, 50 hits, 11 doubles, five home runs, 30 RBI, 3 SB.
- Shohei Ohtani: .355/.425/.678, 54 hits, 14 doubles, 11 home runs, 27 RBI, 9 SB
- Mookie Betts: .346/.451/.556, 53 hits, 10 doubles, six home runs, 27 RBI, 8 SB
- Marcell Ozuna: .315/.396/.647, 40 hits, six doubles, 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 0 SB
- Alec Bohm: .346/.413/.539, 46 hits, 13 doubles, four home runs, 32 RBI, 1 SB
At this point teams have played around 40 games. There is still three quarters of the regular season left so a lot can happen, but to it’s fair to say at this point that William Contreras is indeed playing like a legit MVP candidate.
Related: William Contreras speaks out after his brothers injury “same guy hit me twice in one game”.
