Cubs: The best international signings in team history

Chicago Cubs: A rocket behind the plate

3. Wilson Contreras

The Cubs signed the right-handed catcher from Venezuela on July 2nd, 2009, at the age of 17. Nine years in the minors, he finally made his debut in the big leagues when he was 24 as Contreras homered on the first pitch he saw. In his first season in the windy city, Contreras only played in 76 games that season batting .282 average while helping the team achieve the dream of a world series title and breaking the curse.

Throughout his four seasons so far in his career with the Cubs, Contreras appeared in 436 games. He also compiled an 11.8 batting WAR. An all-star the last two all-star games, he is also a member of the championship team in 2016.

Last year, the primary catcher hit 24 bombs averaging an exiting velocity of 88.3, which ranks him 168th across the whole Major League. In the 105 games he appeared in, Contreras slashed a stat line of .272/.355/.533.