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 Post subject: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 9:09 pm 
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http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cont ... he-future/

Contreras has look of Cubs’ long-term catcher of the future


Gordon Wittenmyer


MESA, Ariz. – Micah Johnson once stole 84 bases in a minor league season, and that kind of speed is still his biggest calling card as a major league infielder with the Dodgers.

So nobody was more shocked than Johnson when he slid into second base against the Cubs the other night only to discover that the ball was already there, in shortstop Addison Russell’s glove, a few inches from the ground, right where catcher Willson Contreras had delivered it.
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“The shortstop didn’t have to even make a tag, because it was right there,” said shortstop-by-trade Javy Baez, who watched in awe from his first base position that night.

One inning later, Contreras fired to Baez at first to pick off veteran Chase Utley.

“I think he’s got as much ability as anybody at that position,” said the Cubs’ catching coach. “He’s the kind of athletic, strong, strong-armed, powerful-legged, young catcher that you don’t come across very often.”

Last year’s Southern League batting champion also doubled twice and singled in that game. Then he doubled and singled the next day.

“We’re all searching for the perfect catcher who can do all the things we want behind the plate and also hit,” Borzello said. “Those guys are few and far between.”

If the last 12 months are any indication, one of those guys is a 23-year-old former third baseman with a vise grip of a handshake and, maybe, an even stronger grip on his place in the Cubs’ long-term catching plans.

“They make the decisions. That’s one thing I can’t control,” said Contreras, who should open the season as the starting catcher for Class AAA Iowa, potentially a heartbeat away from becoming the next homegrown core player for the burgeoning Cubs.

“So I’m just going to keep working hard and playing hard,” he said.

Contreras rose quickly in prospect rankings with his breakout 2015 season at AA Tennessee, baseball’s No. 67 overall prospect, according to Baseball America, and the top-ranked catching prospect in baseball, according to MLBPipeline.com.

“The talent is there,” Borzello said. “I mean, he’s capable of doing anything that you need done back there.”

The Cubs have stressed communication with pitchers, working with scouting reports and calling games during Contreras’ first big-league spring training – the last components of the job he needs to master.

And when it comes that, Borzello said he’s been impressed with Contreras’ ability to learn quickly.

“When he handles the pitchers, he’s thoughtful; he knows what’s going on out there,” said manager Joe Maddon, a former minor-league catcher. “This kid’s in on every pitch. Every pitch.”

Maddon said Contreras called a pitch in a recent game that the staff didn’t think was the right one for the situation. “But we didn’t care about that because the decision he made was based on the fact that he was thinking,” Maddon said. “I liked the idea that he was aware of what was going on. He chose that route. He wasn’t just putting down a finger, and I think that’s a good sign.”

Where does he fit if he’s as good as everybody thinks.

Borzello said he’d likely be on a big-league roster this year for a team in a rebuilding mode or with less catching at the majors than the Cubs have in Miguel Montero and David Ross (and Kyle Schwarber).

“We’re a team right now that you have to be 100 percent ready to go,” he said. “We want to make sure he’s polished in all areas.”

Ross said he’s retiring after this season. Montero is signed through 2017.

“When they give me an opportunity, I’ll try to take advantage,” said Contreras, who has seems at home in the big-league clubhouse. “I feel like I’m one step closer to Wrigley Field, to the big leagues. I feel like part of the team right now. My teammates are treating me like a brother. We’re like a family.”

Said Borzello: “He works as hard as anyone I’ve ever had. And when you have that kid of ability and that work ethic on top of it, there’s no stopping you.

“He has a look in his eye like he’s coming. He’s not going to let anybody stand in his way.”
# cubs Willson Contreras Chicago


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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 9:29 pm 
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It sucks that David Ross has to play wet nurse to Lester, Would love to see this kid play this year.

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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 9:38 pm 
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Supposedly his pitch-calling, framing, blocking etc. needs some work, so another spin through AAA wouldn't hurt.

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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 10:35 pm 
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I'm sure he'll see some time this year.


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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 10:37 pm 
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cpguy wrote:
I'm sure he'll see some time this year.



A few weeks in September?

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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 10:57 pm 
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312player wrote:
cpguy wrote:
I'm sure he'll see some time this year.



A few weeks in September?


Most catchers go down for at least a little while during the season so chances are good he'll come up when either Ross or Montero go on the DL during the course of the season. Let's hope he keeps developing!


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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 11:41 pm 
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Wasn't much of a prospect until last season when he apparently learned to hit. This year will be a good test to see if it was a fluke or not.


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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 7:28 am 
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Big Chicagoan wrote:
Wasn't much of a prospect until last season when he apparently learned to hit. This year will be a good test to see if it was a fluke or not.

I believe Geo Soto had a similar path.

This would be awesome if this kid is even half what they say he can be.


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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 7:57 am 
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real fast track for a soon to be 24 year old who can't beat out David Ross for a backup catcher spot

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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 8:00 am 
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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 8:12 am 
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good dolphin wrote:
real fast track for a soon to be 24 year old who can't beat out David Ross for a backup catcher spot


Maybe we can bring up our 26 year old catcher who cant play and keep his as a starter for 4 years based on the thouht he will get better and he is a great guy.

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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 8:13 am 
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bigfan wrote:
good dolphin wrote:
real fast track for a soon to be 24 year old who can't beat out David Ross for a backup catcher spot


Maybe we can bring up our 26 year old catcher who cant play and keep his as a starter for 4 years based on the thouht he will get better and he is a great guy.


Isn't that what you are proposing?

Tyler Flowers was a well thought of prospect at one time as well.

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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 8:16 am 
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Hockey Gay wrote:
The next Mike Piazza

Dont be ridiculous


Piazza could barely throw the ball to 2nd. This kid is the next IROD


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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 8:20 am 
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Piazza was a 24 yo September call up in 1992...he hit .232.

Almost zero chance the Cubs hit the lottery and Contreras has a HOF type career. They still gotta roll the dice...or buy a ticket, if you will.

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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 8:24 am 
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rogers park bryan wrote:
Hockey Gay wrote:
The next Mike Piazza

Dont be ridiculous


Piazza could barely throw the ball to 2nd. This kid is the next IROD

I'm just trying to keep expectations low.


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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 8:36 pm 
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Hockey Gay wrote:
The next Mike Piazza

Perhaps without the eye shadow and bad catching skills. Could hit though.


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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 9:35 pm 
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I'm not sold on him just yet. But if he does respectably at AAA, I can see him being one of a couple of trade chits packaged for another top-end starter (I'd say Sonny Gray, but I don't think Beane will trade with the Cubs again - but somebody similar).

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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Sat Mar 19, 2016 1:20 am 
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cpguy wrote:
I'm sure he'll see some time this year.


I think so too. If either Montero or Ross gets hurt, he's up and if not, certainly as a September call-up and takes over for Ross in 2017 and in 2018 is the main guy, if not before.

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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 9:30 am 
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good dolphin wrote:
bigfan wrote:
good dolphin wrote:
real fast track for a soon to be 24 year old who can't beat out David Ross for a backup catcher spot


Maybe we can bring up our 26 year old catcher who cant play and keep his as a starter for 4 years based on the thouht he will get better and he is a great guy.


Isn't that what you are proposing?

Tyler Flowers was a well thought of prospect at one time as well.

:shock:


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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 9:35 am 
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good dolphin wrote:
real fast track for a soon to be 24 year old who can't beat out David Ross for a backup catcher spot

whoops


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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 9:52 am 
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I can't criticize White Sox fans for their Cubs smack talk during the 2015-2016 stretch. The impending World Series victory had them in a state of anxiety. I can't fault them for following Willson Contreras' ascent. I mean, prospect after prospect for the Cubs became a stud. It would be hard for a non-Cubs fan to follow the 15th product of the greatest talent evaluation and development system in professional sports.

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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 10:00 am 
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good dolphin wrote:
real fast track for a soon to be 24 year old who can't beat out David Ross for a backup catcher spot

He was originally a 3b. This is quite the uninformed comment for gd


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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 10:16 am 
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rogers park bryan wrote:
good dolphin wrote:
real fast track for a soon to be 24 year old who can't beat out David Ross for a backup catcher spot

He was originally a 3b. This is quite the uninformed comment for gd




That isn't even top 5 bad thoughts on Willson by GD, there are a couple other threads to see.

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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 10:28 am 
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IMU wrote:
I can't criticize White Sox fans for their Cubs smack talk during the 2015-2016 stretch. The impending World Series victory had them in a state of anxiety. I can't fault them for following Willson Contreras' ascent. I mean, prospect after prospect for the Cubs became a stud. It would be hard for a non-Cubs fan to follow the 15th product of the greatest talent evaluation and development system in professional sports.
With the CJ Edwards avatar, this is unintentionally hilarious.

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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 10:30 am 
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Frank Coztansa wrote:
IMU wrote:
I can't criticize White Sox fans for their Cubs smack talk during the 2015-2016 stretch. The impending World Series victory had them in a state of anxiety. I can't fault them for following Willson Contreras' ascent. I mean, prospect after prospect for the Cubs became a stud. It would be hard for a non-Cubs fan to follow the 15th product of the greatest talent evaluation and development system in professional sports.
With the CJ Edwards avatar, this is unintentionally hilarious.

CJ Edwards got the first 2 outs in the 10th inning of Game 7 of the World Series.


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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 10:35 am 
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...and gave up a run. And has sucked lately.

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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 10:42 am 
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Frank Coztansa wrote:
...and gave up a run. And has sucked lately.

The Cubs won the World Series, Frank. I know deep down you thought it would never happen. I know it hurts.


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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 10:42 am 
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And he was almost a 2017 All-Star as a 6th, 7th and 8th inning bullpen arm. He is struggling right now. It happens.

Are you saying you think he is pretty much done being an effective pitcher?

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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 10:43 am 
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IMU wrote:
And he was almost a 2017 All-Star
:lol: :lol:

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 Post subject: Re: Wilson Contreras
PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 10:48 am 
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I'm glad when the White Sox won the World Series in 2005 we didn't try and pretend Neal Cotts was great.

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