Willson Contreras throws a wider shadow in St. Louis Cardinal’s camp this spring, physical modifications as a result of a weight room regime that he adopted to bulge up for a transition to the first base.
And he has huge shoes to fill for the second time.
He approved a transition to the first base, where the cardinals try to fill the void created by Paul Goldschmidt’s departure. Contreras jumped from the Division -Rival Chicago to take over for the outgoing Yadier Molina 2023.
“It feels completely different, but I like to feel that I have more time to do other things, and I’m not so rushed,” Conteras said about being liberated from time -consuming capturing elements, from studying individual hitters on video to memorizing scouting Reports and situational data about each batter.
To be ready for a larger choral producing role in St. The Louis range, reworked Contreras his physique as he enters his third season since joining the Cardinals as a free agent. Most recently, he played the first base 2019 with Cubs – just two matches – and showed up early for Jupiter, Florida, to get extra reps with Infield coach Stubby Clapp.
“He has worked hard on it,” said Cardinals Manager Oli Marmol about Contreras, who initially rotated with converted Outfielder Alec Burleson on Tuesday.
The prolonged Catcher tipped the wave of £ 247, about 12 to 15 pounds over its previous reporting weight and £ 35 over younger brother William Contreras’ listed 212 with Brewers.
“I was joking with my brother and I said, ‘I will beat 62 [home runs] This year, ‘”Willson Conteras said, 32.
Contreras, 32, will not talk about his actual goals for home driving, but he does not care to share that he wants to be in the lineup every day. He is used to picking the ball out of dirt, and Clapp said that the converted Catcher’s footwork is better around the bag than some may have expected. Contreras, which resumes despite the restructured lineup, also listens to Naysayers.
“I’ve seen (what people) say about my defense at the first base, or this and that,” Conteras said. “But people are going to say what to say. I don’t give one (expletive). I am this one who does my work – to put in my things – and I know what I can do.”
Contreras has never met more than 24 home races during a season. Goldschmidt met 22 last season and 25 years 2023, but was over 30 seven times from 2013-22.
On the side of several games when JD Martinez broke his left forearm on a swing and when he got a cracking right finger when he was hit by a pitch that was thrown by the twins his right hand Pablo Lopez, Played Contrera’s 84 games in 2024 and met 15 home races.
“I feel relaxed, I feel safe,” Conteras said.
-Field level media
