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William Contreras to become the talk of the Atlanta Braves farm system

By Jeff Schafer

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 20: A detailed view of a Rawlings catchers glove with Franklin batting gloves in it belonging to the New York Mets player sitting on the dugout bench prior to the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 20: A detailed view of a Rawlings catchers glove with Franklin batting gloves in it belonging to the New York Mets player sitting on the dugout bench prior to the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT /
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Braves catching prospect, Contreras, continues to impress on the field

All MLB GM’s and front offices are always looking through other teams farm systems to see what young talent they could eventually pry from another team, hoping that one day that young talent will have an impact for the major league club. Atlanta Braves GM John Coppolella is one of the best at this “game”.

Some of these guys make it to the show, while others become career farm system players and others will not even make it a year.

What do teams do with these guys who are shuffling around in their farm systems?  Obviously, they hope that one day the player will turn things around and find his way somehow to the big leagues.  But in other cases, teams could use as trade bait to secure talent at other positions.

Do the Atlanta Braves have a decision to make as the offseason approaches on catcher William Contreras?

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What is so special about Contreras?

William Contreras is young, 19-years-old, and was signed by the Braves out of Venezuela.

The reason the Braves snatched him up so quick just might be is that he has baseball talent in his blood, being the younger brother of the Chicago Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras.

However, just by having a relative who has talent, it does not automatically mean that you will excel.

The case could be different with William though.

Contreras currently isn’t listed by MLB Pipeline as a Braves top 30 prospect.  The Braves do however have two catchers in the top 30 — Alex Jackson and Brett Cumberland.  Also, second round pick from 2015 Lucas Herbert prospering.

What we’re getting at is, for a while now the Braves haven’t had a great core of minor league catchers.  It’s starting to look like the opposite.

Right now in Triple-A, the Braves have Kade Scivicque and he’s doing pretty well.  Though he’s only played in five games with Gwinnett, he’s batting .125 — prior to the call-up, he was batting .269 for Mississippi.

It’s great to have so much depth and it never hurts because you never know what will happen.

Contreras has emerged as the starting catcher in Danville, while having a steady bat at the plate.  Get this…he’s played in  27 games so far in 2017 and in just three of those games, he hasn’t had at least one hit.

He’s currently riding a five game hit streak and before that, it was a 15 game hit streak.  His batting average is currently .330 with three homers, one triple, seven doubles, 18 RBIs, 21 runs scored, 17 walks and only 15 strikeouts.

Contreras could be pushing for a promotion before the year is out, but being promoted to Rome may be difficult.  That’s where Herbert is currently playing and they also have Drew Lugbauer and Carlos Martinez there.

Here’s what the catching looks like at all levels for the Braves

Gwinnett – Kade Scivicque, David Freitas

Mississippi – Alex Jackson, Joe Odom and Jonathan Morales

Florida – Brett Cumberland, Tanner Murphy, Wigberto Nevarez

Rome – Lucas Herbert, Drew Lugbauere, Carlos Martinez

Danville – William Contreras, Alan Crowley, Hagen Owenby

Promotions anywhere at the catcher position will be tough to come by.  It’s very possible the Braves end the year without moving any of these guys.  2018 may be different though as the Atlanta Braves may have a backup spot available if they choose not to (or can’t) resign Kurt Suzuki.

Next: Everything you should know about waiver trading

Depending on what the Braves think on his play and direction of their future at catcher, William Contreras leaves the Braves the option to watch him progress through the farm system, or they could dangle him as trade bait in the offseason for possibly some starting pitching.  Who doesn’t want a solid catcher?  I think the Braves should keep this one though!

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