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Willson Contreras 2025 Outlook: Increased Playing Time Offers Fantasy Upside
6 mins agoWillson Contreras once again delivered strong offensive production for a catcher in 2024, slashing .262/.380/.468 with 15 HR in 358 PAs. His season was all about extremes. The 33-year-old posted a career-worst 16.4% SwStr% that contributed to his 26.8 K%, but his eye remained strong with a 12.6% BB% and 29.5% chase rate. Contreras also set a career-best with a 37.1% FB%, helping him make the most of his 19.7% HR/FB at the expense of a career-worst 15.8% IFFB%. Contreras managed a .337 BABIP (.310 career) despite all the pop-ups, so fantasy managers should expect negative batting average regression. His pop was real with a 95.3 mph average airborne exit velocity, 11.2% rate of Brls/BBE, and a max EV of 115.3 mph, but Contreras's role gives him the most upside. The Cardinals plan to use him as a full-time 1B/DH in 2025, giving him every chance to best his career high of 544 PAs in 2018. Catchers rarely get that kind of volume, making Contreras an intriguing fantasy option at his ADP of 94.65.
