Contreras has caught 74 games, helping the Cubs deal with a revolving door of backup catchers.
Willson Contreras isn’t an all-star this year, though that doesn’t affect how the Cubs view their starting catcher.
Saturday night against the Cardinals was his 74th game behind the plate as the Cubs have cycled through backup catchers, with no other catcher getting more than five starts. He’s hit all over the lineup and handled the pitching staff, but at least for now that hasn’t been enough for a trip to Denver to rub elbows with the best players in the sport.
“He’s definitely been an all-star for our group for sure,” Cubs manager David Ross said. “Sometimes it gets recognized over the league and sometimes it doesn’t.”
After the Giants’ Buster Posey went on the injured list with a thumb problem, there was a possibility Contreras could get that spot. The nod went to the Cardinals’ Yadier Molina, who bowed out to rest an ailing foot, with the Brewers’ Omar Narvaez subsequently getting the call.
Though the choice would be nice for Contreras, there is one benefit to missing out, especially considering the harsh workload he’s had this year.
“I’m glad he’s getting some time off,” Ross said. “You’d have to ask him about how he feels about that, but he’s a two-time all-star already. I know he prides himself on his game, and the awards are really cool. To be selected to go to the all-star game is an amazing honor, but selfishly as his manager I like that he’s going to get four days off.”
Ross was there as a teammate when Contreras broke in during the 2016 season. Now in his second season as his manager, Ross has seen plenty of progress in Contreras since his rookie year on what turned out to be a championship team.
Beyond just his passion to win and desire to be coached and get better, Ross has seen jumps in how Contreras emotionally handles the ups and downs of a season. He’s also improved at pitch framing to go with his athletic gifts.
“There’s a lot of positives that I’ve seen [from] him in his growth,” Ross said.
Coming along
Injured infielders Matt Duffy and David Bote worked out on the field Saturday afternoon and both are expected to begin rehab assignments after the all-star break. Duffy’s will begin the Monday after, while Bote’s will kick off around Thursday or Friday of that week.
That Duffy, on the IL since May 23 with a low back strain, is nearing a rehab assignment is good news for the Cubs. In June, it seemed like Duffy’s recovery had stalled, but now he appears to be back on track toward a return to the Cubs lineup.
“Duffy’s done really well,” Ross said. “He’s felt good over the past week. He’s been in my office a couple times with a lot of positives.”
Bote has been on the IL since May 30 with a dislocated left shoulder.
Just a reminder
The 2021 draft begins Sunday night with the first round, and the Cubs own the 21st selection. In last year’s opening round, the Cubs took Mount Carmel shortstop Ed Howard with the 16th overall choice.
from Chicago Sun-Times - All https://ift.tt/3k3yeTQ
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