McGregory Contreras Stats & Scouting Report

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When the Blue Jays went over their international bonus pool in 2015-16 to sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr., they exceeded their pool by a tick under 15 percent, which meant they were only subject to one year of being limited to international signings of $300,000 or less instead of two. The rest of their 2015-16 signings were for $10,000 or less (those are exempt from the bonus pools), and so far Contreras has been the best of that group. Contreras hit well in his debut in the Dominican Summer League, so the Blue Jays skipped him over the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League with an assignment to the Rookie-level Appalachian League in 2017. Contreras showed plus bat speed and strong wrists, catching up to good velocity on the inner half. Contreras has near-average raw power that shows more in BP than it does in games, partly because his swing is geared to hit the ball on the ground instead of driving it for loft. He also needs to improve his ability to recognize offspeed pitches. An average runner with an average arm, Contreras mostly played the outfield corners last year and probably fits best at one of those spots. Low Class A Lansing is next for him.

Contreras was just another $10,000 signing like hundreds of other players in the 2015 international class. In spite of minimal expectations, he has emerged as a legitimate prospect for the Blue Jays with potential to be a contributor across the board. Contreras has what many coaches in baseball would call "sneaky power". It doesn't stand out in games just yet and you wouldn't be able to tell just by looking at him, but he lets it fly during batting practice. His lean, athletic body and swift bat speed entail future average power. He has strong wrists that work well to catch up to inside fastballs. Contreras' bat-to-ball ability is hindered right now by pitch recognition issues, but that should grow to be average as well. Contreras saw work at all three outfield positions this summer because teammate Chavez Young laid claim to center field. Contreras projects to stick in center thanks to above-average speed, solid footwork and an average arm.