5 Atlanta Braves Prospects That Could Make Full-Time Debut in 2021
By Matt Melton
3. C William Contreras – Atlanta Braves #7 Prospect
William Contreras made his MLB debut in the Opening Series of the shortened 2020 season against the Mets in New York due to the unavailability at the time of Travis d’Arnaud and Tyler Flowers.
Even though he appeared sparingly for the Atlanta Braves during that time, Contreras went 4/10 at the plate in his 4 games played showing Braves fans why he is considered as arguably the Braves catcher of the future.
You could’ve made the argument for Contreras to stay with the big league club a year ago as the back-up catcher, but the Atlanta Braves #7 prospect was sent to the alternate site for the remainder of the season.
While one could make the argument that Contreras is major league ready right now, it’ll probably benefit him to start the season in Triple-A. While a career .279 hitter in the minor leagues, the highest level aside from the shortened MLB stint in 2020 that Contreras has played is Double-A.
Still, Contreras came to Spring Training this year with a chance to win the back-up catcher role. While the job went to the more experienced and arguably more MLB ready Alex Jackson, Contreras impressed during his limited Grapefruit League action.
William Contreras 2021 Spring Training Stats (via baseball-reference.com)
- (20 at-bats) – 7 H, 5 R, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 6 BB, .350 AVG, .500 OBP, .650 SLG, 1.150 OPS
Still only 23 years old, William Contreras is one of the best catching prospects in all of baseball. While Contreras will start the season in Triple-A, don’t be surprised if we see the young catching prospect in Atlanta again in 2021.