What Happened to William Jesus Contreras?

William Jesus Contreras, born December 24, 1997, began his professional baseball journey when he signed with the Atlanta Braves organization in 2015. He made his Major League Baseball debut on July 24, 2020, as a backup catcher for the Braves. His early career saw him split time between the majors and Triple-A, but he quickly established himself as a promising talent. In 2021, Contreras was a member of the Atlanta Braves team that won the World Series, marking a significant early achievement in his career.

Contreras's breakout season came in 2022, where he earned his first All-Star selection, notably joining his brother Willson Contreras, making them only the fifth pair of brothers since 1942 to start in the same All-Star Game. Following the 2022 season, the Braves traded Contreras to the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-team deal. This move proved beneficial for Contreras, as he continued to elevate his performance with the Brewers. In 2023, he won his first Silver Slugger Award, recognizing his offensive prowess as a catcher.

The 2024 season saw Contreras achieve further accolades, earning his second Silver Slugger Award and his second All-Star Game selection. He was also named to the All-MLB First Team, solidifying his status as one of the league's premier catchers. However, the 2025 season presented challenges as Contreras played through a fractured left middle finger for most of the year, which contributed to a slight dip in his offensive production. Despite the injury, he remained a workhorse, finishing third among qualified catchers in plate appearances.

Heading into 2026, the Brewers declined Contreras's $12 million club option for the season, opting instead to pursue a new deal through arbitration. On February 12, 2026, Contreras and the Brewers agreed to a one-year, $9.4 million contract, avoiding arbitration. This deal also includes a $14.5 million team option for 2027, which could become a mutual option if he finishes high in the NL MVP balloting. As of June 2026, Contreras has been a consistent performer for the Brewers. He hit a solo home run on June 6, 2026, and made a crucial catch in foul territory to seal a 7-1 win against the Rockies, demonstrating his continued impact on both sides of the ball. He is expected to maintain one of the heaviest catching workloads in the league and is projected to return to his prior level of production now that he is healthy.