Willson Contreras signed with the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent in 2009 but didn’t make his MLB debut until 2016. The Puerto Cabello, Venezuela native played 76 games in his rookie season, where he totaled 12 home runs and 35 RBI to go along with a .282 batting average and a .357 OBP, and he returned with even more power the following season.
Contreras got off to a very impressive start and never seemed to cool down. Now in his third season with the Cubs and second straight year as the team’s starting catcher, the 26-year-old is heading to his very first MLB All-Star Game after being voted in as the National League’s starting catcher. Like the rest of this year’s selections, Contreras got the news on Sunday evening and he couldn’t hold back the tears after it all sunk in.
The Cubs’ starting catcher spent nearly eight seasons in the minor leagues before he got his big break and he’s made the most of his opportunity.
Contreras has seven home runs and 34 RBI to go along with a .287 batting average and a .372 OBP through 77 games.
(H/T Twitter/Cubs)
