Willson Contreras
-
"Willson Contreras hammers baseballs. He has upped his average exit velocity every season since 2017. It was methodical at the start; 88.1mph in 2017, 88.5mph in 2019. But then, 89.8mph in 2020, and 91.8mph in 2021. He consistently peppers balls north of 110 miles per hour. This past year, he had both the highest hard-hit rate and the highest launch angle of his career. All-in-all, he logged his third 20-homer season while getting on base at a .340 clip.
AD – CONTENT CONTINUES BELOW
Defensively, he’s got a hose. In 2019, he logged the third-best average pop-time in Major League Baseball, only three-hundredths of a second off of J.T. Realmuto for the top spot. He plays with runners. If Yadier Molina perfected the back-pick at first base, Willson Contreras is the best copycat.
If the question is Willson vs. Sean Murphy for the sixth spot on this list, Willson’s 29 years old. He’s got a career 114 wRC+ and logged a 109 wRC+ last year. Murphy is a career 109 wRC+ with a 99 wRC+ in 2021. In 2022, with the track record and recent offensive success playing in, Willson is slightly preferred."
Just a quick Google search for best catchers has him In everyone's top 10 list and here is a good explanation I pulled out of why he's looked at so fondly. Also trying to say D'arnaud is a top catcher clearly shows you e never actually watched the guy play.
-
Good stuff. I’ll add another excerpt:
“On the year as a whole, Contreras is enjoying career-best marks in several categories. His .391 OBP (On-base Percentage) is the highest of his career and his .865 OPS is the second-highest of his career. His 19.6 strikeout percentage is the lowest mark of his career and a drastic improvement over 2021’s ugly 28.6 strikeout percentage (which was his highest ever).
In baseball’s current landscape, there is almost no production from the catcher position across the league, making Contreras’ red-hot start stand out even more. Among all major league catchers, Contreras is first in runs scored (24), third in home runs (5), second in walks (16), third in batting average (.263), first in on-base percentage (.391), first in slugging percentage (.474) and first in OPS (.865).
To truly highlight how weak the catcher spot has been so far in 2022, there are just three catchers holding an OPS north of 700 (Contreras, Daulton Varsho of Arizona with a .790 mark and Keibert Ruiz of Washington with a .726). Contreras is miles ahead of the majority of the league.”
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sportsmockery.com/chicago-cubs/will-he-be-dealt-potential-landing-spots-for-willson-contreras/%3Famp. (Some good discussion of trade possibilities too.)
-
@bob_loblaw1984 said in Willson Contreras:
Good stuff. I’ll add another excerpt:
“On the year as a whole, Contreras is enjoying career-best marks in several categories. His .391 OBP (On-base Percentage) is the highest of his career and his .865 OPS is the second-highest of his career. His 19.6 strikeout percentage is the lowest mark of his career and a drastic improvement over 2021’s ugly 28.6 strikeout percentage (which was his highest ever).
In baseball’s current landscape, there is almost no production from the catcher position across the league, making Contreras’ red-hot start stand out even more. Among all major league catchers, Contreras is first in runs scored (24), third in home runs (5), second in walks (16), third in batting average (.263), first in on-base percentage (.391), first in slugging percentage (.474) and first in OPS (.865).
To truly highlight how weak the catcher spot has been so far in 2022, there are just three catchers holding an OPS north of 700 (Contreras, Daulton Varsho of Arizona with a .790 mark and Keibert Ruiz of Washington with a .726). Contreras is miles ahead of the majority of the league.”
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sportsmockery.com/chicago-cubs/will-he-be-dealt-potential-landing-spots-for-willson-contreras/%3Famp. (Some good discussion of trade possibilities too.)
Yeah, but his list had Austin Hedges in the #1 spot with a whopping .248 career OBP and .193 career batting avg and a career WAR of 0.6. If you're gonna compete with legendary sluggers like that, you need real stats.
Come on Bob...do better
-
@bob_loblaw1984 said in Willson Contreras:
@killerpresence4 said in Willson Contreras:
@bob_loblaw1984 said in Willson Contreras:
@killerpresence4 said in Willson Contreras:
@bob_loblaw1984 said in Willson Contreras:
@killerpresence4 said in Willson Contreras:
@bob_loblaw1984 said in Willson Contreras:
@killerpresence4 said in Willson Contreras:
@solid-snake2493_xbl said in Willson Contreras:
@killerpresence4 said in Willson Contreras:
@bob_loblaw1984 said in Willson Contreras:
I love the guy and am a big Cubs fan. When the fire sale started last year I identified him as the one piece I’d like to keep for the next run. However, with the signing of Gomes and the apparent lack of interest in an extension, he is very likely to be traded.
He seems far and away the best catcher in baseball and the statistics support that so far this year. I am curious to hear any thoughts on the possibility of acquiring him from fans of potential playoff teams.
The Yankees and Astros seem like good matches as trade partners. They both appear to have a large need at C and have a long history of trades with the Cubs. I’m hoping for a few solid pitching prospect and those clubs have plenty. (Wesneski or Waldichuk from the Yankees pique my interest.)
What statistics support that claim. Baseball prospectus doesn’t even have him in the top 10 currently. The Atlanta Braves alone have two catchers that are offensively as good or better than him and both are better defensively than him. Here’s the funny thing one of those catchers ironically is his brother. So please tell what stats your talking about. And if you use WAR as your argument you’ve already lost the argument. WAR does not capture the catcher position any where close to other metrics. Metrics like pitch framing and blocking. Both of which he is terrible at. And oh btw Travis D’Arnaud as of a couple days ago had thrown out the most runners and the highest percent of caught stealing in the MLB.
Aggressive much? You clearly have no idea what your talking about, as you lost all credibility when you said Contreras is terrible at framing and blocking. News flash, this isn’t 2017 anymore. And it’s absolutely laughable that you think Willy’s brother is as good as or better than him currently.
So you make the argument that this isn’t 2017 for Contreras but provide zero to back up that claim. I’ll do the work for you. Here is Baseball prospectus catcher rankings with stats to back it up. No where on this list will you see Willson Contreras!!! He doesn’t come close on any advanced metrics. But I guess stats don’t matter anymore. Anecdotal evidence is obviously more important (i.e. the homer index).
He didn’t make the claim. I did. I also provided evidence that you ignored. Good stuff.
You provided one stat. Last time I checked offense is one aspect of a catchers job. And offense is the least important aspect when it comes to catchers. He is still a terrible framer and blocker. And according to the stats he is a serviceable thrower but still not elite. Sorry to burst your bubble.
You don’t seem to understand sample sizes. Especially when it comes to defensive metrics. Contreras is a much better defender than you describe. Maybe look at more than just a 7 week old season and look with less bias.
You made the claim for this year. I just used stats to refute that claim then you say that one year doesn’t make the player. Well his stats this year don’t support your claim. That’s all. I’m not saying he isn’t one of the best based on his track record but this year is certainly not one of his best up to this point in the season. Also his brother has been real good in a short sample size with two multiple homer games and his amazing defensive improvements. But yes we need to see more.
7 weeks of offensive statistics are far more reliable than defensive metrics from the same timeframe. They are highly subjective and have crazy fluctuations.
But I’m not engaging with you anymore. You are hyperbolic, misinformed, and aimed to hijack a thread about trade discussion.
No sir, you made a sweeping statement that was absolutely false. There was no hyperbole, certainly not misinformed as I provided actual stats while you provided one single stat about OPS. As if that’s the only stat that makes a player. And no it was not aimed to hijack your thread. If your going to make false statements about stats people are going to call you out. Have a good day bud. Next time do some research before allowing your personal feelings taint your argument.
Saying his brother is better, who is a backup with 30 ABs, isn’t hyperbolic? Cool man.
I said the Braves have 2 catchers which combined have comparable to better offensive stats than your guy. I only mentioned his brother because it was funny that his brother makes up the second portion of that tandem. And statistically the Braves catching duo is one of the best to this point in the season and the stats back up that claim as I have already shown. Their catching position combined for the most homers and RBI’s in baseball. And provide better defense. That is not hyperbole. Have a good day I’m done arguing this point.
-
As a Mets fan who so badly wanted D'arnaud to be the answer at catcher he is not. He has definitely improved since leaving the Mets but if you look at him as a top guy then I can't take your opinion seriously on players
-
@bob_loblaw1984 said in Willson Contreras:
@guccigangchuck said in Willson Contreras:
@bob_loblaw1984 said in Willson Contreras:
@allday9128_psn said in Willson Contreras:
Let's send him to the twins for Royce Lewis
They’ll need him when Correa opts out. Greater chance of the Cubs signing Correa at that point than trading for Lewis now. I do think Hoerner will get an extended shot at the job anyway. He deserves it. Bring on the pitching depth.
correa's coming back, we wouldnt need wilson anyways. Gary Sanchez clears.
Only way Correa stays is if he expects to get paid less as a free agent. If he performs that won’t be the case.
i mean hes getting paid the most right now AAV wise, the only way he can also opt back in, he loves MN. I'd bet he's a twin after this year. (hoping)
-
@kovz88_psn said in Willson Contreras:
As a Mets fan who so badly wanted D'arnaud to be the answer at catcher he is not. He has definitely improved since leaving the Mets but if you look at him as a top guy then I can't take your opinion seriously on players
Literally has the best throw out percentage in baseball this year along with being in the top 5 in advanced metrics for framing and and blocking, is among the top offensive catchers this year. His pitching staff absolutely swears by his game calling ability. Clubhouse leader. But yeah you’re right he’s definitely not a top flight receiver. What a clown!!!
P.S. He also kills the Mets when he sees them!!!
-
@killerpresence4 said in Willson Contreras:
@kovz88_psn said in Willson Contreras:
As a Mets fan who so badly wanted D'arnaud to be the answer at catcher he is not. He has definitely improved since leaving the Mets but if you look at him as a top guy then I can't take your opinion seriously on players
Literally has the best throw out percentage in baseball this year along with being in the top 5 in advanced metrics for framing and and blocking, is among the top offensive catchers this year. His pitching staff absolutely swears by his game calling ability. Clubhouse leader. But yeah you’re right he’s definitely not a top flight receiver. What a clown!!!
P.S. He also kills the Mets when he sees them!!!
Are you sure the site you get your stats from correct cause according to ESPN and other websites there are about 5 catchers ahead of him in throw out % alone. I've also seen you be extremely confident yet get proven wrong time and time again on these forums so being called a clown by you will be taken as a compliment! It shows that you just look at numbers and don't actually watch the players you speak so confidently about.
-
-
I thought I’d pull up this thread again to see if there are more fans interested in a hypothetical deal for Contreras down the stretch.
Still hoping for an extension, but seems even more unlikely now. I’m thinking he gets dealt in early July after the draft.
-
@bob_loblaw1984 said in Willson Contreras:
I love the guy and am a big Cubs fan. When the fire sale started last year I identified him as the one piece I’d like to keep for the next run. However, with the signing of Gomes and the apparent lack of interest in an extension, he is very likely to be traded.
He seems far and away the best catcher in baseball and the statistics support that so far this year. I am curious to hear any thoughts on the possibility of acquiring him from fans of potential playoff teams.
The Yankees and Astros seem like good matches as trade partners. They both appear to have a large need at C and have a long history of trades with the Cubs. I’m hoping for a few solid pitching prospect and those clubs have plenty. (Wesneski or Waldichuk from the Yankees pique my interest.)
I love his brother. I'm a braves fan
-
@jiggidyjj_psn said in Willson Contreras:
@bob_loblaw1984 said in Willson Contreras:
I love the guy and am a big Cubs fan. When the fire sale started last year I identified him as the one piece I’d like to keep for the next run. However, with the signing of Gomes and the apparent lack of interest in an extension, he is very likely to be traded.
He seems far and away the best catcher in baseball and the statistics support that so far this year. I am curious to hear any thoughts on the possibility of acquiring him from fans of potential playoff teams.
The Yankees and Astros seem like good matches as trade partners. They both appear to have a large need at C and have a long history of trades with the Cubs. I’m hoping for a few solid pitching prospect and those clubs have plenty. (Wesneski or Waldichuk from the Yankees pique my interest.)
I love his brother. I'm a braves fan
He looks good in his limited ABs. Should be the starting C.
-
@bob_loblaw1984 said in Willson Contreras:
@jiggidyjj_psn said in Willson Contreras:
@bob_loblaw1984 said in Willson Contreras:
I love the guy and am a big Cubs fan. When the fire sale started last year I identified him as the one piece I’d like to keep for the next run. However, with the signing of Gomes and the apparent lack of interest in an extension, he is very likely to be traded.
He seems far and away the best catcher in baseball and the statistics support that so far this year. I am curious to hear any thoughts on the possibility of acquiring him from fans of potential playoff teams.
The Yankees and Astros seem like good matches as trade partners. They both appear to have a large need at C and have a long history of trades with the Cubs. I’m hoping for a few solid pitching prospect and those clubs have plenty. (Wesneski or Waldichuk from the Yankees pique my interest.)
I love his brother. I'm a braves fan
He looks good in his limited ABs. Should be the starting C.
Arnaud is ripping too. Baby bro is doing just fine at DH. He def has a burning
within. Love this kid -
A admin locked this topic on
