​CHICAGO — On Tuesday, Willson Contreras learned he will spend the early part of next week in Philadelphia as an American League All-Star, and he hopes to stay busy during his time in the City of Brotherly Love. The backup catcher-turned-ace of the Red Sox lineup was added to the All-Star roster in place of Toronto’s Vlad Guerrero Jr. earlier in the day, and he expressed optimism about taking part in the Home Run Derby, which is scheduled for Monday night.
“I was asked if I wanted to participate, and I said yes,” Contreras told MassLive in Chicago. “But I haven’t heard back from them yet to make it official.”
So far, only two Derby participants have been confirmed: Yankees first baseman Ben Rice and Rays slugger Junior Caminero. That leaves six Derby spots still open. A Red Sox official reached Tuesday night said the club is still unsure whether Contreras will join the Derby field. The Red Sox have not had a Derby participant since 2011, when Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz both competed; Ortiz previously won the 2010 Derby in Anaheim. Contreras, who has never taken part in the Home Run Derby despite three All-Star selections with the Cubs (2018, 2019, 2022), is now in the mix to potentially add Derby glory to his list of accolades.
Entering Tuesday, Contreras led AL first basemen in batting average at .284, was tied for second in home runs with 20, and stood second in slugging percentage at .542. He ranked third in RBIs with 59 and was third in OPS at .920. Those numbers underlined his value to a Red Sox lineup that has leaned on him heavily as a maturing offensive force.
Contreras is one of three Red Sox named All-Stars alongside starter Ranger Suarez and closer Aroldis Chapman. He anticipates the chance to face his brother, Brewers catcher William Contreras, who is also an All-Star, in next Tuesday’s game. “It means a lot to me and my family,” Contreras said at Rate Field. “I’m happy that I was recognized and I can’t wait to be there with my family and brother. It will be nice.”
The moment of truth for Contreras came early Tuesday when chief baseball officer Craig Breslow called to relay the news that he had made the All-Star team. “I thought the call was about the situation I’m in—suspended for seven games and awaiting an appeal,” he recalled with a chuckle. “I was like, ‘OK, let’s talk about it; let’s get it over with.’ Then he told me ‘Congratulations.’ I was like, ‘For what?’ He said, ‘Oh, you didn’t know? You made the All-Star team.’ That’s how I found out.”
As the All-Star festivities unfold, Contreras will have a chance to notch a remarkable moment in his career, both as a fellow All-Star and as a potential Derby participant. His performance this season has already cemented him as one of the premier hitters among AL first basemen, and fans will be watching closely to see if he adds Home Run Derby glory to his growing résumé.