Chicago Cubs: Willson Contreras is quietly becoming the catcher he predicted

Chicago Cubs backstop Willson Contreras is known for his high energy and emotion.  But a calmer Contreras is becoming the catcher he predicted in 2018.

Calm is probably not an adjective you would use to describe Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras.  Yet he’s been overshadowed by other Cubs like the flamboyant Javier Baez. He didn’t attract the buzz created by Kris Bryant and isn’t considered a team leader like Anthony Rizzo or Jason Heyward.

But in January 2018, Contreras put MLB on notice that he was coming for Yadier Molina and Buster Posey.

"“I used to watch a lot of those guys,” Contreras told the Chicago Sun-Times. “But now I’m watching myself because I know that I’m going to be better than them. That’s my plan. That’s my (mindset).” … “I know that I have a lot of talent, and I thank God every day for giving me this kind of talent that I have. In my mind, I want to be the best catcher in the game for a long time — like it was with Yadier Molina, like it is with Buster Posey.”"

As everyone knows, Molina took exception to the remark and told the upstart backstop to “respect the ranks.”  My guess is the St. Louis backstop isn’t as disdainful of the remark today.  On Tuesday, Contreras will appear in his second consecutive All-Star Game as the starting catcher for the National League. The last catcher to start consecutive All-Star Games?  Buster Posey.