William Contreras

William Jesús Contreras Bio

William Jesús Contreras (born December 24, 1997) is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves. Contreras signed with the Braves organization in 2015 and made his major league debut on Opening Day in 2020. He was a member of the 2021 World Series champions and was named an All-Star in 2022. The Braves traded Contreras to the Brewers after the 2022 season, where he earned the Silver Slugger Award twice in 2023 and 2024 and earned his second All-Star selection in 2024. Throughout his career, Contreras has established himself as one of the premier offensive catchers in the National League.

Early Life and Background

William Jesús Contreras was born on December 24, 1997, in Venezuela. He grew up in a baseball family as the youngest son of William and Olga Contreras. His older brother, Willson Contreras, also became a Major League catcher, making the Contreras family one of the notable baseball families in the sport. The brothers would later both reach the majors and become the fifteenth pair of brothers to be selected to an All-Star Game together.

Contreras developed his catching skills at a young age in Venezuela, where baseball is deeply embedded in the culture. His older brother’s path through professional baseball provided inspiration and guidance for William as he pursued his own dreams of reaching the majors. The family environment fostered a competitive spirit and dedication to the sport that would shape both brothers’ careers.

Path to Major League Baseball

Contreras signed with the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent in February 2015, beginning his professional career at just 17 years old. He made his professional debut with the Dominican Summer League Braves in 2015, where he immediately showcased his hitting ability by batting .314 with a .370 on-base percentage and 32 runs batted in. His strong debut indicated his potential as a future impact player for the organization.

He continued to develop through the Braves’ minor league system, advancing to the Gulf Coast League Braves in 2016 and the Danville Braves in 2017. At Danville, he hit .290 with a .379 on-base percentage, demonstrating consistent contact-hitting ability. The Braves added Contreras to their 40-man roster following the 2019 season to protect him from being eligible in the Rule 5 draft, signaling the organization’s confidence in his future contributions.

William Jesús Contreras Career

Atlanta Braves (2020–2022)

Contreras was invited to the Braves’ spring training in 2020 and made his major league debut on Opening Day, July 24, 2020, as a backup catcher. His first career hit and run batted in came as a pinch-hitter the following day. In his rookie season, he appeared in limited action, going four-for-ten with a double and an RBI.

The 2021 season marked a breakthrough year for Contreras. On May 5, 2021, he hit his first career home run against Washington Nationals pitcher Erick Fedde. While splitting time between Gwinnett and Atlanta, he batted .215 with eight home runs and 23 RBIs in his major league appearances. Most importantly, the Braves finished with an 88-73 record, clinched the NL East division title, and went on to win the 2021 World Series, giving the franchise its first championship since 1995. Being part of a World Series-winning team as a young player provided invaluable postseason experience and established his winning pedigree.

Contreras made the Braves’ 2022 Opening Day roster as a backup catcher and split the season between Atlanta and Gwinnett. He was named to the 2022 Major League Baseball All-Star Game as an injury replacement for designated hitter Bryce Harper, becoming an All-Star for the first time in his career. The selection was particularly meaningful as he and his brother Willson became the fifteenth pair of brothers to both be selected to an All-Star Game, a historic achievement for their family.

Milwaukee Brewers Era (2023–Present)

On December 12, 2022, the Braves traded Contreras to the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-team trade. The Braves acquired Sean Murphy in the deal, while the Brewers also received Joel Payamps and Justin Yeager. This move marked a significant transition in Contreras’ career as he moved to his new team as a potential everyday catcher.

In his first full season with the Brewers in 2023, Contreras played 141 games and excelled at the plate, batting .289 with a .367 on-base percentage and a .457 slugging percentage, producing an OPS of .825. His defense at catcher improved significantly during his first season in Milwaukee. He won his first Silver Slugger Award at the end of the season and finished 11th in National League MVP voting, establishing himself as one of the top catchers in the league.

The 2024 season proved to be his most decorated year. He played in 155 games, batting .281 with a .365 on-base percentage and .466 slugging percentage, posting an OPS of .831. His wins above replacement (WAR) rating increased from 3.8 in 2023 to 4.9 in 2024. He earned his second All-Star selection and won his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award. Most notably, he finished fifth in National League MVP voting, becoming the first Brewer to finish in the top five since Christian Yelich finished runner-up in 2019. He was also named to the All-MLB First Team, recognizing him as one of the best players at his position across all of baseball.

2025 Season Performance

Contreras played in 150 games during the 2025 season, batting .260 with a .355 on-base percentage and .399 slugging percentage, producing an OPS of .754. He hit 17 home runs and drove in 76 runs. Despite playing through a fractured left middle finger for the majority of the season, he continued to contribute offensively and defensively for the Brewers. The Brewers finished the season with a 97-65 record, clinching the National League Central division title and home-field advantage in the playoffs. A corrective surgery for his fractured finger was announced on October 23, 2025, following the conclusion of the postseason.

Defensive Profile and Strengths

Contreras has established himself as an offensive-minded catcher while showing improvement behind the plate. His throwing arm and game-calling abilities have been areas of development since joining the Brewers. In his 2023 season with Milwaukee, his defensive metrics showed significant improvement, which helped earn him recognition from both the coaching staff and league evaluators. His ability to frame pitches and handle the pitching staff has been a work in progress throughout his career, with each season showing incremental growth in his defensive game management.

Notable Career Statistics

Through the 2025 season, Contreras has accumulated a career batting average of .276 with 94 home runs and 365 runs batted in across his major league career. His consistent offensive production, combined with his durability as a catcher, has made him one of the more reliable backstops in the National League. His career trajectory shows continued growth, with each season building upon the previous year’s experience and production.

William Jesús Contreras Career Wins and Honors

Throughout his career, Contreras has accumulated numerous individual accolades and team accomplishments that highlight his impact on the sport. His championship experience with the 2021 Braves and multiple All-Star selections demonstrate his ability to perform at the highest level.

Major Awards and Honors

Contreras has been recognized with several prestigious awards during his career. He has been selected to the All-Star Game twice, in 2022 and 2024. He won the Silver Slugger Award in both 2023 and 2024, recognizing him as the top offensive catcher in the National League. In 2024, he was named to the All-MLB First Team, further cementing his status as one of the premier catchers in baseball. His championship resume includes winning the 2021 World Series with the Atlanta Braves, the first title for that franchise since 1995.

Personal Life

Off the field, Contreras comes from a baseball family. His older brother Willson is also a Major League catcher, making them one of the notable catching duos in baseball history. The brothers were both selected to the 2022 All-Star Game, becoming the fifteenth pair of brothers to achieve that distinction. William is engaged to Nixzali Adames, who is the sister of former Brewers teammate Willy Adames, connecting his personal and professional baseball lives through family relationships.

Legacy and Impact

At 27 years old, Contreras has already established himself as one of the top catchers in Major League Baseball. His combination of offensive production and defensive improvement has made him a valuable asset for the Brewers. With multiple All-Star selections, Silver Slugger Awards, and World Series championship experience, he has built a resume that places him among the elite catchers in the game. His continued development and durability suggest he will remain a significant contributor at the catcher position for years to come.