WATCH: Contreras guns down runner on steal attempt

Cole Little · Senior Writer · Sunday, May 06 2018

ST. LOUIS — Chicao Cubs catcher Willson Contreras has quickly gained a reputation in his young career as one of the most formidable defensive backstops in baseball, and, on Sunday, he showcased why that is the case.

In the opening inning of Sunday's contest between the North Siders and the St. Louis Cardinals, Contreras gunned down Cardinals center fielder Harrison Bader with ease. Bader, who attempted to steal third base, was thrown out by a mile, as he was forced to slide directly into the waiting glove of Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant. That is how quickly Contreras darted the ball to third base.

Bader clearly did not learn his lesson after receiving a reprieve earlier in the inning. While attempting to steal second on a ball four, Bader was gunned down then, too, by Contreras, but, of course, the walk made it a moot point. Mere minutes later, however, Bader pressed his luck again and paid the price.

Contreras has now caught five of the 16 runners who have attempted to steal a base on his watch this season. That is good for a caught-stealing rate of 31 percent for Contreras, which is among the best such rates in the National League.