Willson Contreras is casting a broader shadow in St. Louis Cardinals’ camp this spring, physical modifications resulting from a weight-room regimen he adopted to bulk up for a move to first base.
And he has huge shoes to fill for the second time.
He approved a move to first base, where the Cardinals are trying to fill the void created by Paul Goldschmidt’s departure. Contreras jumped from division rival Chicago to take over for the retiring Yadier Molina in 2023.
“It feels totally different, but I do like feeling like I have more time to do other stuff, and I’m not so rushed,” Contreras said of being freed of time-consuming catching elements, from studying individual hitters on video to memorizing scouting reports and situational data on every batter.
To be ready for a greater run-producing role in the St. Louis lineup, Contreras remade his physique as he enters his third season since joining the Cardinals as a free agent. He last played first base in 2019 with the Cubs — just two games — and showed up early to Jupiter, Fla., to get extra reps with infield coach Stubby Clapp.
“He’s been working hard at it,” Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said of Contreras, who rotated taking grounders at first with converted outfielder Alec Burleson on Tuesday.
The longtime catcher tipped the scales at 247 pounds, around 12 to 15 pounds over his previous reporting weight and 35 pounds above younger brother William Contreras’ listed 212 with the Brewers.
“I was joking with my brother and I said, ‘I’m going to hit 62 [home runs] this year,'” Willson Contreras, 32, said.
Contreras, 32, won’t talk about his actual home run goals, but he doesn’t mind sharing he wants to be in the lineup every day. He’s accustomed to picking the ball out of the dirt, and Clapp said the converted catcher’s footwork is better around the bag than some might have expected. Contreras, re-energized despite the restructured lineup, is also listening for naysayers.
“I’ve seen (what people) say about my defense at first base, or this and that,” Contreras said. “But people are gonna say whatever they’re gonna say. I don’t give a (expletive). I’m the one here doing my work — putting in my stuff — and I know what I’m able to do.”
Contreras has never hit more than 24 home runs in a season. Goldschmidt hit 22 last season and 25 in 2023, but was over 30 seven times from 2013-22.
Sidelined multiple games when J.D. Martinez fractured his left forearm on a swing and when he suffered a fractured right finger when hit by a pitch thrown by Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez, Contreras played 84 games in 2024 and hit 15 home runs.
“I feel relaxed, I feel confident,” Contreras said.
–Field Level Media
