MILWAUKEE — William Contreras was not selected for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game. The Milwaukee Brewers catcher leads all catchers in slugging percentage. He was not chosen.
The 26-year-old backstop is hitting .289 with 14 home runs and a .872 OPS. Those numbers place him ahead of multiple All-Star selections at his position. The omission is statistically indefensible.
Contreras ranks second among catchers in home runs. He leads in OPS. His 2.3 WAR through July trails only Adley Rutschman. Yet Rutschman will start. Contreras will watch.
The snub has become a rallying point. Manager Craig Counsell did not publicly protest. Privately, sources say the slight is being used to reinforce an underdog identity. The Brewers hold a 4.5-game lead in the NL Central.
| Catcher | HR | AVG | OPS | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Contreras | 14 | .289 | .872 | 2.3 |
| Adley Rutschman | 15 | .276 | .822 | 2.8 |
| J.T. Realmuto | 9 | .261 | .747 | 1.9 |
Contreras is redefining catcher power. Only 10 catchers in MLB history have posted a 30-homer season. He is on pace for 28. His barrel rate ranks in the 89th percentile. His average exit velocity: 91.4 mph.
The Brewers acquired Contreras from Atlanta in December 2022. The trade sent catcher Sean Murphy to the Braves. Milwaukee saw power potential others overlooked. That bet is paying off.
Contreras’ swing mechanics are atypical for a catcher. He generates torque through his hips similar to first basemen. His launch angle averages 14 degrees. That is elite for a backstop.
The Brewers are building a dynasty around him. Corbin Burnes leads the rotation. Christian Yelich anchors the outfield. Contreras is the youngest core piece under team control through 2027.
Historical precedent suggests the snub could fuel a playoff run. David Ortiz was famously passed over in 2002. He hit 15 home runs in the second half. The Red Sox won the World Series in 2004.
Mike Trout was not an All-Star in his 2012 rookie season. He won AL MVP. The Angels missed the playoffs. The individual narrative still holds: snubs produce performance spikes.
Contreras’ defensive metrics are improving. He ranks in the 67th percentile for framing. His caught-stealing rate is 28%. That is above league average for catchers with 500-plus innings.
The All-Star selection process for catchers is flawed. Two-way players like Contreras are penalized for defensive workload. The position requires rest days. That reduces counting stats.
MLB should reform the ballot. Catchers with an OPS above .850 should be automatic selections. The current system favors brand names over production. Contreras is proof.
His second-half projections are strong. Career splits show a .305 average after the break. Health trends are positive. He has not missed a game due to injury since April.
The Brewers’ front office is planning for October. Contreras’ ability to handle a pitching staff will be critical. Elite catchers can steal strikes. They can neutralize the running game. They are difference-makers.
This snub will either be a footnote or a catalyst. Early evidence points to the latter. Contreras has hit .312 with 4 home runs since the All-Star rosters were announced. The Brewers are 9-3 in that span.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why was William Contreras not selected for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game?
- A: Despite leading all catchers in slugging percentage and OPS, and ranking second in home runs, William Contreras was omitted from the 2024 All-Star Game. The snub is widely considered statistically indefensible, as his numbers surpass several selected catchers, including Adley Rutschman and J.T. Realmuto.
- Q: How is William Contreras redefining catcher power?
- A: Contreras is redefining catcher power with a .289 average, 14 home runs, and an .872 OPS. His barrel rate is in the 89th percentile, average exit velocity is 91.4 mph, and his 14-degree launch angle is elite for a catcher. He’s on pace for 28 home runs, approaching the rare 30-homer milestone achieved by only 10 catchers in MLB history.
- Q: How has the All-Star snub impacted the Milwaukee Brewers?
- A: The snub has become a rallying point for the Brewers, reinforcing their underdog identity. Manager Craig Counsell has privately used the slight to motivate the team, which holds a 4.5-game lead in the NL Central. The controversy has also highlighted the success of the December 2022 trade that brought Contreras from Atlanta.
Extended Reading
The All-Star selection process has been criticized for decades. The current fan vote system favors large-market players. Small-market teams like Milwaukee rarely get multiple selections. Contreras’ omission highlights a systemic issue that MLB has not addressed. The Brewers are using that neglect to build a culture of defiance. It is working.