Coming into the 2016 season, the main question regarding Iowa catcher Willson Contreras was whether or not he was for real. He’d had only one good year, the skeptics said, and anyone could have one good year. I tended to think his peripheral numbers indicated the year was no fluke and ranked as the Cubs best overall prospect in the last two edition of the Top 40 as a result, but I have to admit I was curious to see how he would handle Triple A pitching.
We’re only eight games into the season and the sample sizes are way too small to tell us anything definitive, but so far he’s taking to Triple A like a fish to water. His line through those first eight games reads .400/.455/.500 with three doubles, two walks, and three strikeouts. He hit safely in the first seven and has reached base in all eight games he has played.
In short, he’s off to a great start. That’s great news for the Cubs, since, in addition to being the best catching prospect in baseball, he is also probably Chicago’s third catcher should they need to call one up.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Round Rock 8, Iowa 6
Vogelbach’s first homer got the Cubs back in the game late, but they lost in the end.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Tennessee 4, Birmingham 2
Were it not for the Smokies, there would be no joy in Cubsville. They were the only team in the organization to win yesterday.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Carolina 2, Myrtle Beach 0
Three Carolina pitchers combined on this shutout of the Pelicans. The Cubs affiliate managed just two hits.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
Fort Wayne 10, South Bend 3
Four errors. Ugh.
Other Notes