Tuesday, July 20, 2021

-Clint Manry

Yesterday I was on the road again (this time to Memphis for work), so I’m a little late with the post. But Monday’s minor league Player of the Week award again featured a Braves prospect…

Triple-A Player of the Week winners include #Braves catcher William Contreras, who batted .462 with 12 RBIs for @GoStripers!

🏆 https://t.co/hRLbnk0kBY pic.twitter.com/8GuUcSk5QO

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 19, 2021

Contreras takes home the award for his performance from last week’s slate of games. The 23-year-old catcher finished Gwinnett’s series versus Charlotte going 12 for 26 (.462 AVG) with three home runs, three doubles and 12 RBI in six games. Those impressive numbers also included a crazy night on Sunday in which Contreras went nuts at the plate with five RBI (a season-high). 

Since being optioned to Triple-A earlier this month, Contreras has been red-hot at the plate. In nine minor league games so far the third-ranked prospect (per my Braves Top 30) is slashing .429/.487/.829, good for a ridiculous 243 wRC+. Thus far Contreras has also cut his K rate by roughly 50% and is drawing more walks while with the Stripers.