Cubs Insider · Jun 24, 2019
Willson Contreras Riding Better Prep, Greater Launch Angle to Bigger Numbers
Ever since he debuted with a home run on his first swing, Willson Contreras has looked like the long-term answer at catcher. He posted a wRC+ between 122-126 during his first two full seasons and through the first half of last year before it plummeted to 62 down the stretch. More than some sort of fluke, he simply bonked after failing to keep up with his physical preparation as the season wore on.
His soft contact percentage increased to above average, his exit velocity decreased to below average, and his launch angle dropped precipitously during August and September. Combine those numbers with his usual poor framing, and Contreras went from being The Next Big Thing to a big question mark.