Scouting Report: Contreras has worked diligently to add strength and refine his pitch mix, and the result is an attack rooted in brute force. His fastball now tops out at 98 mph after operating primarily in the low 90s with the Yankees, and it explodes out of his hand at an angle that confuses hitters. He added a slider late in his tenure with the Yankees, giving him two distinct breaking balls, and both flash plus albeit with inconsistent command. Even his changeup, which he uses less frequently, has above-average potential. The Pirates worked with Contreras to better sync the release point of his breaking pitches with his fastball, unlocking more deception and improved spin rates on his curveball, which now tickles 2,900 rpm with better depth. Contreras’ command wavers when he gets over-aggressive with his delivery, but his athleticism allows him to make adjustments on the fly. The larger concern is whether the 6-foot Contreras can sustain hold up under a starter’s workload for a full season.
The Future: Contreras will enter spring training with a chance to win a spot in the Pirates’ rotation. He has the ceiling of a mid-rotation starter.
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