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Willson Contreras Settles Into Red Sox Camp as Cleanup Hitter and First-Base Anchor

Alex Cora pencils him into cleanup to signal confidence in his bat, defense, leadership.

Overview

  • The 33-year-old reported to Fort Myers and said the clubhouse made him feel like he had been with Boston for years, even requesting a Red Sox gear bag before camp to make a clean break.
  • Cora projects Contreras in the fourth spot and likened his expected production to Alex Bregman’s, highlighting the right-handed power Boston sought.
  • After moving from catcher to first base in 2025, Contreras posted six outs above average and ranked in the 91st percentile at the position per Statcast.
  • Contreras credited Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith for first-base tips such as staying on his feet and ready, guidance he said helped accelerate the transition.
  • He plans to represent Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic with his brother William, pending insurance approval, and said he could catch in an emergency.