William Contreras’ Defense Has Done a Complete 180

There may be some improbable teaching taking place in Milwaukee. During the last handful of years, there have been a number of cases of catchers fully turning their protection round with the Brewers, with Omar Narváez probably the most notable instance. The workforce’s newest success story is William Contreras. In his first 146 video games with Atlanta, Contreras was a stable participant with an distinctive bat. In 376 plate appearances in 2022, he had a 138 wRC+. That may be a nice mark for any hitter, not to mention a catcher. Nevertheless, his protection was lackluster throughout the board. The talents have been there — that didn’t appear to be a significant concern — however Contreras’ efficiency was under common when it got here to framing, blocking, and throwing. It appeared like his protection may be a sluggish burn, however Milwaukee had one other plan in thoughts.

To get an concept of how unimaginable Contreras has been to this point, we are going to begin with the numbers. You may be shocked while you see them as a result of this isn’t a narrative of a catcher going from under common to common. That is the story of a catcher going from under common to high tier:

Are you confused? I’m confused. After I first noticed these numbers, my jaw dropped. Catcher is probably the most bodily demanding and troublesome place on the sector. To instantly turn out to be probably the greatest on the place in a matter of months is inconceivable to me. Sometimes, a participant will see enhancements in a single space one 12 months, one other within the subsequent, and so forth and so forth. Contreras didn’t have a typical ascent although. As an alternative, he did all of this virtually in a single day. His framing has moved from the twentieth percentile final 12 months to the 74th percentile this 12 months. In 2022, he wasn’t even within the high 50 of blocking runs saved, however he now leads all catchers. Sure, that’s a greater charge than J.T. Realmuto or Sean Murphy have managed. Lastly, his throwing has been good this 12 months as effectively. Regardless of no actual enchancment when it comes to his pop time, his CS% jumped from 7% to 33%. That’s most definitely as a result of considerably improved accuracy and footwork. So what provides? How on the earth is he pulling this off?

I’ll begin with blocking. A speedy enchancment right here makes extra sense to me than framing. I say that as a result of blocking is all about preparation, each pre-game and pre-pitch. Pre-game, it’s important to do the mandatory work to grasp your employees’s pitch shapes and tendencies. If this turns into again of the hand data to you, then blocking in recreation is that a lot simpler. Pre-pitch, you utilize that data to find out your setup and determination making. After watching each pitch that Statcast labeled as a block for Contreras each final 12 months and this 12 months, it’s turn out to be clear to me that the development is rooted in Contreras not making an attempt to dam right-handed breaking balls and offspeed pitches along with his chest. Right here is a few video from 2022 to begin:

All three of those pitches are commonplace blocking makes an attempt. There isn’t a 30 foot spiked pitch or one with depraved side-to-side spin. Technically, they’re all executed blocks because the runner doesn’t advance and so they didn’t scoot far sufficient away to be handed balls. Nevertheless, every of those areas must be areas {that a} catcher stuffs proper in entrance of them. Now, let’s see what Contreras does this 12 months within the face of right-handed breaking ball and offspeed pitches:

That is unorthodox! After I consider the good pickers, names like Yadier Molina, Francisco Cervelli, and Joe Mauer come to thoughts. However the bizarre factor is, they didn’t all completely decide! Normally there’s a time and place the place you simply must get your physique in entrance of the ball, however for Contreras, his hand is the very best extension of his physique he might have. On spiked curveballs or side-sweeping sliders far in entrance of the plate, he’s choosing the ball with ease.

There have been indicators this was a particular ability for Contreras final 12 months — he picked numerous nasty sliders from Spencer Strider all season. However it’s fairly unorthodox to inform a catcher to fully promote out for this method. Nevertheless, when you’re assured sufficient within the scouting that claims he has 80-grade palms and readability, then heck, simply go for it! The early returns are fairly promising too. You might suppose that is luck, however these 4 examples are consultant of a ability that Contreras has proven to be repeatable all season irrespective of the pitcher or pitch form.

Now, let’s transfer on to the opposite key a part of catching straight associated to clean, sturdy palms: framing. For those who can recall from the desk above, Contreras’ strike charge has elevated by 4.1 proportion factors since final 12 months, and his framing runs have elevated by 5. The perfect alternative for a catcher to make a giant bounce in framing is the underside of the zone, from the center of their physique and away from their glove hand – and that has certainly been the purpose of focus and enchancment for the Brewers backstop. Statcast defines these two zones as Zone 18 (middle-low shadow zone) and Zone 19 (arm side-low shadow zone). In Zone 18, Contreras’ strike charge has jumped from 43.6% to 62.7% (third in baseball). In Zone 19, it’s jumped from 20.3% to 29.7% (ninth in baseball). That’s one other enormous improve that warrants some video work. Listed here are six movies of pitches in Zone 18 – the primary three are from 2022 and the second three are from 2023:

2022

2023

This development was a lot simpler to choose up on than the choosing! Immediately you may see that Contreras has modified his pre-pitch hand place. In 2022, his palms have been stabby on the backside of the zone. One essential a part of framing fastballs on the backside of the zone is having a free wrist because the pitch is being launched. That slight quarter flip he did earlier than the pitch wasn’t sufficient for him to maintain constant looseness between his wrist and elbow. Even when he did try 1 / 4 flip (as with Kyle Wright’s sinker), it was off tempo and he nonetheless ended up mentioning his glove to the center of his physique earlier than the pitch arrived.

In 2023, he has purchased right into a smooth quarter flip that enables him to remain beneath the ball by reception. For those who can keep beneath each single pitch, you may higher manipulate the presentation of the ball. Pushing up by a fastball is far smoother than stabbing it and choosing your glove again up. One of the best ways so that you can do this constantly is by ensuring your glove at all times begins beneath the peak of the shadow zone. It’s a easy idea that doesn’t require the catcher to tackle a whole overhaul. Cue the best motions and targets, and the catcher will start to grasp what that reception ought to really feel like. Contreras clearly now has that understanding and skill to execute each pitch.

So far as throwing is worried, it’s not shocking to see early success for Contreras simply from a psychological viewpoint. For those who’re assured in your receiving and blocking, then your thoughts is in a greater place to execute stable mechanics and make an correct throw. However I do must level out how the development in framing can straight influence this as effectively. With a clean movement from the bottom up, your palms are in a greater place to carry out constant exchanges. Stabbing on the ball brings your momentum again in direction of the bottom, whereas a fluid movement ranging from the bottom allows you to preserve a fluid movement in direction of your ear. It’s all linked!

This early success is superb for each Contreras and the Brewers. Final 12 months, their two major catchers have been Victor Caratini and Narváez. Each have been sub-90 wRC+ hitters regardless of their nice catching. That led to 2.3 mixed WAR on the 12 months. By way of 33 video games (29 at catcher), Contreras has already accrued 1.1 WAR. If he stays on that monitor, it will likely be a big improve for the workforce. It’s an thrilling growth for each the membership and a younger catcher who regarded like he may be an offense-first participant behind the dish. Kudos as soon as once more, Milwaukee.