When Mick Abel hit Willson Contreras, the primary baseman joined Yandy Diaz, Dillon Dingler, Connor Nordy, and Isaac Paredes to steer all of MLB with 4 hit by pitches. To date within the season, Contreras has been hit as soon as every by the Reds, Brewers, Cardinals, and Twins.
Contreras has had a combined bag with HBPs. In his first season with the Cubs he was hit 4 occasions in 283 plate appearances (76 video games) Then 3 occasions in 428 plate appearances (117 video games). Nothing too attention-grabbing.
In 2018 he recorded his highest taking part in time complete till the 2025 season: 544 plate appearances (138 video games). And he’s as much as 13 HBP.
Drops all the way down to 9 the following season in 409 PAs (105 video games).
And that’s the place the story begins to get attention-grabbing.
In 2020, in 225 plate appearances (57 video games within the quick season) he was hit 14 occasions!
Then he was hit one other 14 occasions in 2021 in 483 plate appearances (128 video games). Greater than double the video games however the identical variety of occasions hit.
You’ll be able to watch these time and again and over. He’s taking pitches off that entrance arm. Is he leaning into it? I imply, perhaps? He does typically flip the shoulder however that’s additionally what you see guys evading the ball do.
In 2022, his last season in Chicago, Contreras was his 24 occasions. Not main the league however including 10 to his earlier private…finest. The Brewers hit him 3 occasions that 12 months. As did the Reds, Pirates, and Cardinals (two in a single recreation!). The one AL workforce to hit him? The Yankees.
He decides to interchange Yadier Molina in St. Louis and spare himself a number of HBPs. And he drops to 13 (495 PAs, 125 video games) and 12 (358 PSs, 84 video games) in his first two years in Missouri. With one season injury-shortened although, you may guess what’s coming subsequent. 23 HBP! In 2025, his last season in St. Louis, we see the long run Crimson Sox first baseman take 23 pitches off his physique. 563 PAs, 135 video games.
Curiously, in 2025 the Crimson Sox hit him twice. And he was then traded there. In order that no less than follows his personal option to sign up St. Louis after taking a number of off the “chin.”
Crimson Sox followers have gotten to see among the classics too. The groups that hit him lots — which is partially attributable to taking part in time as a result of they’re NL Central groups and his profession was spent within the NL Central till 2026. But in addition The Brewers hit him 4 occasions final 12 months.
Within the opening sequence there’s a really typical shoulder transfer.
Then there was a however of an incident with the Brewers. He actually thinks that one was on objective. Proper? He appears to be like mad. And this one is extra of the scraper sort of HBP than his basic shoulder bruise. That is grazing the hand. Was this avoidable, or no less than moreso than others?
In his return to St. Louis it’s a fast reception after which a reasonably strong plunking. And keep in mind he performed with Kyle Leahy. It is a former teammate. Famously, the pitcher of St. Louis didn’t look after Contreras as a catcher. However it is a fairly customary (for him) pitch to the arm. He wears an elbow guard. He’s prepared for these.
Proper now, relying on taking part in time, Contreras might be heading for a brand new HBP file. However he’s shortly operating out of NL Central video games and opponents. The groups that know him. The groups which may actually dislike him. So perhaps it’ll end up that his shoulder was a pleasant goal for guys who needed to settle a grudge. Or is it his OBP secret sauce?
