Contreras

[OldRed]

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/visuals/batting-stance

The measurement is his heel…..perhaps he has really large feet

As you could see by the graph many hitters are much closer to the plate than Contreras. Basically, he is the power threat in the lineup and thus gets pitched inside more than others.

[Melville]

Plunked a MLB best 15 times.

I'm w/OR someone on this staff has to respond or it's going to kept happening until he gets hurt.

He sits alone on an island. Is the issue numerous teams are throwing at him, or is he inducing pitches up and in by his plate posture.

Definitely not his stance, just teams want to take away the inside part of the plate (which is fine).

But NOT when they keep hitting him above the waist.

Too many opportunities for serious injury (wrist, shoulder and of course head if they go that high).

He's the best hitter on the team.

His pitchers need to send a message (which would be heard round the league).

You throw at WillyC, we're throwing the same spot at your best hitter.

This is how MLB teams have policed things for hundreds of years.

I think many of the up and in pitches are a (bleep) shoot as to location. Then add a crowded box you may get knicked more often.

The fact that it’s many teams indicate to me it’s not intentional to hit him but it is part of the pitching strategy to pitch him tight.

Yes, of course.
Contreras not only stands closer to the plate than the majority of players, but he also attempts to cover more of the hitting zone.
He is ready to turn on pitches on the inner half (where pitchers know he can do serious damage).
He is also ready and willing to look for pitches away that he can drive to center or right fields.
If a pitcher comes in when Contreras is guessing away and has his body weight ever so slightly leaning in that direction, he is going to get hit.
He knows that better than anyone on this forum (with maybe one exception).
Ridiculous for anyone here to think he is getting hit by design - other than his own.
Another point worth noting.
Contreras DID NOT get upset after his pad was hit.
The pitcher said something as Contreras started down the line - and Contreras said something in return.
The pitcher then said something else, at which point Contreras yelled something like "what did you say to me".
FACT is, it was the verbal exchange, not the harmless bouncing of the ball off his shield, which spiked a brief moment of tension.

Mel, I sometimes wonder if I’m watching the same game as other posters…..he’s literally a couple inches from the inside chalk line at his feet, strides even closer when he swings, with his hands and elbow out in front of him. Just watched Pujols HR highlight reel. He was twice as far off plate as WC, hands were held back up high, and he barely strides toward plate if at all…..just an ever slight lift of front foot then bat comes through zone…
I’m all for retaliation pitches and pitching inside but to somehow say WC is responsible for most of his HBP and injuries is laughable.

It is a beautiful game.
Best watched and understood without ruby shades.

[OldRed]

Plunked a MLB best 15 times.

I'm w/OR someone on this staff has to respond or it's going to kept happening until he gets hurt.

He sits alone on an island. Is the issue numerous teams are throwing at him, or is he inducing pitches up and in by his plate posture.

Definitely not his stance, just teams want to take away the inside part of the plate (which is fine).

But NOT when they keep hitting him above the waist.

Too many opportunities for serious injury (wrist, shoulder and of course head if they go that high).

He's the best hitter on the team.

His pitchers need to send a message (which would be heard round the league).

You throw at WillyC, we're throwing the same spot at your best hitter.

This is how MLB teams have policed things for hundreds of years.

I think many of the up and in pitches are a (bleep) shoot as to location. Then add a crowded box you may get knicked more often.

The fact that it’s many teams indicate to me it’s not intentional to hit him but it is part of the pitching strategy to pitch him tight.

Yes, of course.
Contreras not only stands closer to the plate than the majority of players, but he also attempts to cover more of the hitting zone.
He is ready to turn on pitches on the inner half (where pitchers know he can do serious damage).
He is also ready and willing to look for pitches away that he can drive to center or right fields.
If a pitcher comes in when Contreras is guessing away and has his body weight ever so slightly leaning in that direction, he is going to get hit.
He knows that better than anyone on this forum (with maybe one exception).
Ridiculous for anyone here to think he is getting hit by design - other than his own.
Another point worth noting.
Contreras DID NOT get upset after his pad was hit.
The pitcher said something as Contreras started down the line - and Contreras said something in return.
The pitcher then said something else, at which point Contreras yelled something like "what did you say to me".
FACT is, it was the verbal exchange, not the harmless bouncing of the ball off his shield, which spiked a brief moment of tension.

Mel, I sometimes wonder if I’m watching the same game as other posters…..he’s literally a couple inches from the inside chalk line at his feet, strides even closer when he swings, with his hands and elbow out in front of him. Just watched Pujols HR highlight reel. He was twice as far off plate as WC, hands were held back up high, and he barely strides toward plate if at all…..just an ever slight lift of front foot then bat comes through zone…
I’m all for retaliation pitches and pitching inside but to somehow say WC is responsible for most of his HBP and injuries is laughable.

It is a beautiful game.
Best watched and understood without ruby shades.

I hope you took time to look at the graph I posted. Because he doesn't stand closer to the plate than the majority of players.

[Goldfan]

Plunked a MLB best 15 times.

I'm w/OR someone on this staff has to respond or it's going to kept happening until he gets hurt.

He sits alone on an island. Is the issue numerous teams are throwing at him, or is he inducing pitches up and in by his plate posture.

Definitely not his stance, just teams want to take away the inside part of the plate (which is fine).

But NOT when they keep hitting him above the waist.

Too many opportunities for serious injury (wrist, shoulder and of course head if they go that high).

He's the best hitter on the team.

His pitchers need to send a message (which would be heard round the league).

You throw at WillyC, we're throwing the same spot at your best hitter.

This is how MLB teams have policed things for hundreds of years.

I think many of the up and in pitches are a (bleep) shoot as to location. Then add a crowded box you may get knicked more often.

The fact that it’s many teams indicate to me it’s not intentional to hit him but it is part of the pitching strategy to pitch him tight.

Yes, of course.
Contreras not only stands closer to the plate than the majority of players, but he also attempts to cover more of the hitting zone.
He is ready to turn on pitches on the inner half (where pitchers know he can do serious damage).
He is also ready and willing to look for pitches away that he can drive to center or right fields.
If a pitcher comes in when Contreras is guessing away and has his body weight ever so slightly leaning in that direction, he is going to get hit.
He knows that better than anyone on this forum (with maybe one exception).
Ridiculous for anyone here to think he is getting hit by design - other than his own.
Another point worth noting.
Contreras DID NOT get upset after his pad was hit.
The pitcher said something as Contreras started down the line - and Contreras said something in return.
The pitcher then said something else, at which point Contreras yelled something like "what did you say to me".
FACT is, it was the verbal exchange, not the harmless bouncing of the ball off his shield, which spiked a brief moment of tension.

Mel, I sometimes wonder if I’m watching the same game as other posters…..he’s literally a couple inches from the inside chalk line at his feet, strides even closer when he swings, with his hands and elbow out in front of him. Just watched Pujols HR highlight reel. He was twice as far off plate as WC, hands were held back up high, and he barely strides toward plate if at all…..just an ever slight lift of front foot then bat comes through zone…
I’m all for retaliation pitches and pitching inside but to somehow say WC is responsible for most of his HBP and injuries is laughable.

It is a beautiful game.
Best watched and understood without ruby shades.

I hope you took time to look at the graph I posted. Because he doesn't stand closer to the plate than the majority of players.

Does the graph indicate where his hands are and where his body is with the ball being released. Compared to a player like Goldy its night and day

[rockondlouie]

Plunked a MLB best 15 times.

I'm w/OR someone on this staff has to respond or it's going to kept happening until he gets hurt.

He sits alone on an island. Is the issue numerous teams are throwing at him, or is he inducing pitches up and in by his plate posture.

Definitely not his stance, just teams want to take away the inside part of the plate (which is fine).

But NOT when they keep hitting him above the waist.

Too many opportunities for serious injury (wrist, shoulder and of course head if they go that high).

He's the best hitter on the team.

His pitchers need to send a message (which would be heard round the league).

You throw at WillyC, we're throwing the same spot at your best hitter.

This is how MLB teams have policed things for hundreds of years.

He stands extremely close to the plate, he strides in even closer and his elbow was hanging over the edge of the plate when he was hit.
Not sure how you can say his stance has nothing to do with it. How is he supposed to get out of the way on anything inside under the conditions I described. Check out the Cards Website, its the first replay

He was essentially begging for his pitching staff to defend him after being hit so many times.

According to Baseball Savant, Willson Contreras stands 30.1 inches away from home plate, one of the farthest back in the league. It's not like he's sitting on the plate or leaning into pitches often.

Beat me to it OR!

His stance isn't the problem.

My eyes didn’t like small print after turning 50…….but watching the replay now 4-5 times theres no way you can tell me he’s one of “farthest back from plate in league” his rear foot is an inch or 2 from inner box line with his front foot in same spot when he strides while his elbow is out in front of him from there. To contrast a Pujols or Goldy set up farther from inside line and held their arms back above their ear not hanging out in front of them
I guess you’re gonna tell me that Don Baylor didn’t see up close to plate either?? Watch the vid on Cards site

Maybe in that particular AB.

You do sometimes adjust your batters box position based on the pitcher trying to get an advantage over a certain pitch that pitcher may throw.

While he may have been closer last night than normal, the [nonsense] stats show he doesn't "crowd the plate" and invite getting hit.

[Goldfan]

Plunked a MLB best 15 times.

I'm w/OR someone on this staff has to respond or it's going to kept happening until he gets hurt.

He sits alone on an island. Is the issue numerous teams are throwing at him, or is he inducing pitches up and in by his plate posture.

Definitely not his stance, just teams want to take away the inside part of the plate (which is fine).

But NOT when they keep hitting him above the waist.

Too many opportunities for serious injury (wrist, shoulder and of course head if they go that high).

He's the best hitter on the team.

His pitchers need to send a message (which would be heard round the league).

You throw at WillyC, we're throwing the same spot at your best hitter.

This is how MLB teams have policed things for hundreds of years.

He stands extremely close to the plate, he strides in even closer and his elbow was hanging over the edge of the plate when he was hit.
Not sure how you can say his stance has nothing to do with it. How is he supposed to get out of the way on anything inside under the conditions I described. Check out the Cards Website, its the first replay

He was essentially begging for his pitching staff to defend him after being hit so many times.

According to Baseball Savant, Willson Contreras stands 30.1 inches away from home plate, one of the farthest back in the league. It's not like he's sitting on the plate or leaning into pitches often.

Beat me to it OR!

His stance isn't the problem.

My eyes didn’t like small print after turning 50…….but watching the replay now 4-5 times theres no way you can tell me he’s one of “farthest back from plate in league” his rear foot is an inch or 2 from inner box line with his front foot in same spot when he strides while his elbow is out in front of him from there. To contrast a Pujols or Goldy set up farther from inside line and held their arms back above their ear not hanging out in front of them
I guess you’re gonna tell me that Don Baylor didn’t see up close to plate either?? Watch the vid on Cards site

Maybe in that particular AB.

You do sometimes adjust your batters box position based on the pitcher trying to get an advantage over a certain pitch that pitcher may throw.

While he may have been closer last night than normal, the [nonsense] stats show he doesn't "crowd the plate" and invite getting hit.

There’s a great overhead shot showing his rear foot divot almost on the chalk and he does stride over the plate as ball is being released so he has no chance of getting out of the way of anything high and tight.

[imyourhuckleberry]

St. Louis Cardinals pitchers once again fail to defend Willson Contreras, the club's de facto spark plug, after being hit once again.

It is his team.
Has been for a long time now.
He knows it.
His teammates know it.
Zero need to retaliate for a hitter getting plunked on an elbow pad - particularly when that hitter stands closer to the plate than the vast majority do.
That the reality.
Further, Contreras made his own statement later in the game.
He did not need someone else to do so.
Which is one of the reasons this is his team.

Wrong, again. Or, mor accurately, wrong, as usual.

"According to Baseball Savant, Willson Contreras stands 30.1 inches away from home plate, one of the farthest back in the league. It's not like he's sitting on the plate or leaning into pitches often. Despite his placement in the box, he still finds himself third in hit by pitches this year, just two plunks behind Randy Arozarena."

https://redbirdrants.com/cardinals-pitc ... r-plunking

[ScotchMIrish]

I'm tired of the drama. He doesn't turn away to avoid being hit. He lets the ball hit plastic shield on his arm. Then the drama starts. That's how he broke his finger. Tried to let the ball hit the shield but instead it hit his hand.

If MLB banned those shields - which they should - he would get out of the way.

You must need glasses like me…..

I have glasses - and youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2uv2W-6MWo

No….he isn’t anywhere close to that plate…..and he’d have to be some sort of contortionist to get out of way when entire body is moving towards plate as pitcher starts to throw…..

Other players manage to turn away. He deliberately lets it hit the guard and is consistently among MLB leaders in HBP. Take that guard off his arm and watch him get out of the way.

I'm tired of the drama. Earlier in the season he tripped a baserunner at first base and then wanted to fight someone in the dugout. Signed to be a catcher but apparently he doesn't want to catch.

[govman]

Plunked a MLB best 15 times.

I'm w/OR someone on this staff has to respond or it's going to kept happening until he gets hurt.

He sits alone on an island. Is the issue numerous teams are throwing at him, or is he inducing pitches up and in by his plate posture.

Definitely not his stance, just teams want to take away the inside part of the plate (which is fine).

But NOT when they keep hitting him above the waist.

Too many opportunities for serious injury (wrist, shoulder and of course head if they go that high).

He's the best hitter on the team.

His pitchers need to send a message (which would be heard round the league).

You throw at WillyC, we're throwing the same spot at your best hitter.

This is how MLB teams have policed things for hundreds of years.

Best hitter on the team??? How do you figure that?

[rockondlouie]

Plunked a MLB best 15 times.

I'm w/OR someone on this staff has to respond or it's going to kept happening until he gets hurt.

He sits alone on an island. Is the issue numerous teams are throwing at him, or is he inducing pitches up and in by his plate posture.

Definitely not his stance, just teams want to take away the inside part of the plate (which is fine).

But NOT when they keep hitting him above the waist.

Too many opportunities for serious injury (wrist, shoulder and of course head if they go that high).

He's the best hitter on the team.

His pitchers need to send a message (which would be heard round the league).

You throw at WillyC, we're throwing the same spot at your best hitter.

This is how MLB teams have policed things for hundreds of years.

Best hitter on the team??? How do you figure that?

Huh?

You're kidding right or just being inane?

How do I figure WillyC is the best hitter on the team?

WillyC's rank 2025 Cardinals:

1st - .809 OPS
1st - 125 OPS+
1st - 14 HR's
1st - 28 Doubles
1st - 61 RBI's
1st - .458 slg%
2nd - .351 OB%

[RamFan08NY]

Plunked a MLB best 15 times.

I'm w/OR someone on this staff has to respond or it's going to kept happening until he gets hurt.

Hitting a San Diego batter isn't going to stop a Seattle pitcher pitching him tight in a month from now.

[RamFan08NY]

Plunked a MLB best 15 times.

I'm w/OR someone on this staff has to respond or it's going to kept happening until he gets hurt.

He sits alone on an island. Is the issue numerous teams are throwing at him, or is he inducing pitches up and in by his plate posture.

Definitely not his stance, just teams want to take away the inside part of the plate (which is fine).

But NOT when they keep hitting him above the waist.

Too many opportunities for serious injury (wrist, shoulder and of course head if they go that high).

He's the best hitter on the team.

His pitchers need to send a message (which would be heard round the league).

You throw at WillyC, we're throwing the same spot at your best hitter.

This is how MLB teams have policed things for hundreds of years.

Best hitter on the team??? How do you figure that?

Huh?

You're kidding right or just being inane?

How do I figure WillyC is the best hitter on the team?

WillyC's rank 2025 Cardinals:

1st - .809 OPS
1st - 125 OPS+
1st - 14 HR's
1st - 28 Doubles
1st - 61 RBI's
1st - .458 slg%
2nd - .351 OB%

Yea, but besides that, how is he the best hitter???

[RunSup]

St. Louis Cardinals pitchers once again fail to defend Willson Contreras, the club's de facto spark plug, after being hit once again.

The benches cleared. That's all the retaliation that was needed. Both teams were warned.

WC's passion fed the team. The dead corpse actually had some life. Mission accomplished.

If the team somehow makes the playoffs after this, spell the name with a "Z". The CardinalZ. They've somehow become *undead*

Two more games against the Padres with Libby and McGreevy up. I already got off this roller coaster and puked my guts out. I can't get back on ... can I?

[DwaininAztec]

Some guys just get hit more often than others. In my time guys like Craig Biggio, Don Baylor, or Ron Hunt were infamous for getting hit. Anthony Rizzo and Chase Utley are more recent examples of guys who got hit a lot. One of my favors from my early childhood, actually was a Cardinal for a year, was Minnie Minoso.

Very few of those guys ever said a word when they were hit. In fact some of them made a career of getting hit.

[moose-and-squirrel]

Some guys just get hit more often than others. In my time guys like Craig Biggio, Don Baylor, or Ron Hunt were infamous for getting hit. Anthony Rizzo and Chase Utley are more recent examples of guys who got hit a lot. One of my favors from my early childhood, actually was a Cardinal for a year, was Minnie Minoso.

Very few of those guys ever said a word when they were hit. In fact some of them made a career of getting hit.

throw in Fernando Vina

and Rizzo absolutely hung out over the plate

[Goldfan]

Some guys just get hit more often than others. In my time guys like Craig Biggio, Don Baylor, or Ron Hunt were infamous for getting hit. Anthony Rizzo and Chase Utley are more recent examples of guys who got hit a lot. One of my favors from my early childhood, actually was a Cardinal for a year, was Minnie Minoso.

Very few of those guys ever said a word when they were hit. In fact some of them made a career of getting hit.

Helps with the OBP……free trip to first. If you stand up there right over the plate with no intention to move…..then get hit on a half arm guard…..then (buzz) and moan……thats a little much