Catcher of the Future Showdown: William Contreras vs. Jeferson Quero vs. Wes Clarke

[Harold Hutchison]

In one sense, the Brewers seem to be set at catcher, with William Contreras as their starter and under club control through the 2027 season. But for how long will he remain a fixture?

Image courtesy of © Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

William Contreras got a lot of honors in 2023, but those who follow the farm system are no doubt aware of Jeferson Quero, who will be 21 years old during the 2024 season. Quero, second only to Jackson Chourio on the MLB Pipeline and Brewer Fanatic top Brewers prospects lists, could be in Milwaukee in this season. Then there is Wes Clarke, who posted a monster season of his own alongside Quero and Chourio in Biloxi in 2023. Who will be the Crew’s catcher for the long term? Let’s look each of these players over.

The Case for William Contreras
Contreras was arguably one of the biggest trade steals in the history of the Brewers, acquired in a three-team trade involving the Oakland A’s and Atlanta Braves during the 2022-2023 offseason that also netted relief pitcher Joel Payamps and minor-league hurler Justin Yeager, for the paltry price of outfielder Esteury Ruiz.

Contreras was the team’s MVP for 2023, posting an ,825 OPS with 38 doubles, 17 home runs, and 78 RBI over 141 games (108 as catcher, 33 as designated hitter). While his bat always has been impressive, in Milwaukee, he improved on his defense, which had previously been considered a weakness.

Contreras brings the proven track record in making his case to be Milwaukee’s catcher. With an All-Star Game appearance, a Silver Slugger Award, and 11th-place finish in MVP voting in 2023, his résumé is extremely strong. But those very decorations also figured to make him expensive when he becomes arbitration-eligible, starting next winter. At that point, the Brewers' financial disadvantages start to enter the picture and influence decisions. The bankruptcy of Bally Sports is not likely to help matters for the short term.

Could the Crew extend Contreras? It’s possible, but it would be pricey. Contreras might be dealt, although probably not for at least two years, and he could fetch a huge return given his level of performance.

The Case for Jeferson Quero
Jeferson Quero was not as highly-touted as other prospects in the July 2019 international free agent class, but the young catcher has been a huge hit. His defense was already strong, and Quero has minor-league Gold Glove awards for that, but it became obvious that his bat wasn’t horrible, either.

Indeed, at just 20, Quero posted a .779 OPS in Biloxi in 2023, after racking up a .781 OPS between Low-A Carolina and High-A Wisconsin in 2022, combining for 26 homers in those years. Quero’s OBP skills have also improved, making him a legit threat at the plate.

If there is a question mark for Quero, it’s his health. He has made trips to the injured list in each of his professional seasons, playing only 23 of 54 games in 2021, 95 out of 130 in 2022, and 95 out of 137 in 2023.

That being said, Quero could be locked up in a manner similar to Chourio, giving Milwaukee long-term stability at the position that hasn’t been since since Jonathan Lucroy was with the Crew. At the very least, he will factor into their plans before this season is over--be it as a backup to Contreras, an injury stopgap, or a potential trade chip.

The Case for Wes Clarke
Clarke was not on many people's radar screens at the start of 2023. That was understandable, given his pedigree: he was a 10th-round pick in 2021. From the beginning, though, Clarke’s offensive profile carried some intrigue. He draws his walks, and generates huge power on contact, at the expense of many strikeouts. But while many think of him as a first baseman, he is arguably going to be the third-best catcher in Maryvale this spring – even with MLB vets Eric Haase and Austin Nola there alongside minor-league veteran Brian Navarreto.

In 2023, Clarke broke out big-time, as noted when we discussed him and fellow under-the-radar first base prospect Ernesto Martinez. He outperformed Chourio in multiple statistical categories, and then performed well in the Arizona Fall League, earning an invitation to spring training with the Brewers.

Clarke primarily has played first base, but over the last two campaigns, he's spent a lot of time filling in behind the plate, proving very capable when Quero was on the injured list. He made the fringe of the MLB Pipeline top prospect list during the Crew’s flurry of offseason deals.

If there is a knock to his performance behind the plate, it is that he doesn’t make runners scared of the potential consequences of attempting larceny on the basepaths, with only a 10% caught stealing rate in 2023. He had higher rates in 2021 and 2022, but in this area, he is clearly a step behind Quero. Still, he’s not a bad option behind the plate, albeit he is a bat-first option. Then again, so was Contreras when the Crew acquired him.

Overview
The Brewers may not be set at catcher, but that is not due to a lack of talent at that position. If anything, they have a lot of good options to feel totally locked into any one of them in the long term. That said, the team’s need for help at designated hitter and first base could ease the logjam. Brewers fans should not be surprised if all three of these players are on the team’s major-league roster at some point in 2024, but they also shouldn’t be surprised if the team makes a deal involving one of these players for help elsewhere, be it soon or in 2025 or 2026.

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[wiguy94]

Wes Clarke will never be anything more than an MLB 3rd catcher or emergency catcher. He’s a 1B/DH at the MLB level. 

[jay87shot]

I think maybe you try and make something work in 2025 but in reality that won't work. I am sure Contreras could be a passible 1B but he is 26 and was on of the best catchers in the league last year. You don't move a high caliber young catcher to a new position unless there is no way to sign him. 

Maybe in 2025 you have each guy play 80 games at catcher, Contreras gets say 60 DH games (a few at 1st) and Quero DH's here and there for extra PT. Clarke platoons at 1st and only catches if one of the two is DH'ing and the other catching gets injuried. I think the logical thing to do is to swap Quero for similarly blocked young bat at some point next offseason and sign cheaper vets to back up Contreras. I wouldn't be a bad idea to draft a good young catcher early this year in case we trade Quero and then can't sign Contreras by 2027/2028.

The only way Quero is the long term catcher is if Contreras get hurt, really stinks this year (not happening), or is an MVP candidate and works his way into a 30+ million dollar contract we can't afford. If Contreras goes .300/.400/.900 with like 30 HR's and high quality catching we probably do want to keep Quero and trade Contreras after 2025.

[Harold Hutchison]

1 hour ago, wiguy94 said:

Wes Clarke will never be anything more than an MLB 3rd catcher or emergency catcher. He’s a 1B/DH at the MLB level. 

The numbers at Biloxi beg to differ.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=eb728882

Clarke and Quero were comparable in fielding percentage, if you double Clarke's 34 games at catcher, he would have had ten errors and eight passed balls to Quero's nine errors and ten passed balls.

The only differential was CS%, where Quero threw out 35% and Clarke got only 10%. So, that points to Clarke as a credible #2 catcher who probably hits well enough for a lot of time at 1B/DH, where he also excels.

[wiguy94]

32 minutes ago, clancyphile said:

The numbers at Biloxi beg to differ.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=eb728882

Clarke and Quero were comparable in fielding percentage, if you double Clarke's 34 games at catcher, he would have had ten errors and eight passed balls to Quero's nine errors and ten passed balls.

The only differential was CS%, where Quero threw out 35% and Clarke got only 10%. So, that points to Clarke as a credible #2 catcher who probably hits well enough for a lot of time at 1B/DH, where he also excels.

Southern League average CS% was 22%. I don't know why you continue to do this. You've done it with Baez despite being told over and over again he's not a SS. You're doing it here with Clarke. Stop it.

[sveumrules]

13 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

Southern League average CS% was 22%. I don't know why you continue to do this. You've done it with Baez despite being told over and over again he's not a SS. You're doing it here with Clarke. The lack of professionalism and common sense in your writing is appalling and a red mark against this great site.

Yeah, Wes Clarke is a catcher like former Clancy #1 prospect Cooper Hummel is a catcher or former Clancy #1 prospect Ernesto Martinez is a CF.

If Clarke (34 games at catcher) was viewed as a legit backstop he would have been closer to Quero (74 games at catcher) in games behind the dish at Biloxi. Instead he split back up duties with Nick Kahle (26 games at catcher). To say nothing of the huge discrepancy in CS% and scouting reports. 

[MrTPlush]

The answer to this question is really impossible to know. The direction of the team this year may have a lot or even everything to do with the answer. If the young guys really don't make some leaps and we start looking years off from competing, Contreras is definitely at risk of being traded if the return is big. 

[duewizard]

47 minutes ago, clancyphile said:

The numbers at Biloxi beg to differ.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=eb728882

Clarke and Quero were comparable in fielding percentage, if you double Clarke's 34 games at catcher, he would have had ten errors and eight passed balls to Quero's nine errors and ten passed balls.

The only differential was CS%, where Quero threw out 35% and Clarke got only 10%. So, that points to Clarke as a credible #2 catcher who probably hits well enough for a lot of time at 1B/DH, where he also excels.

In addition to what others have said, catching is way more than errors and passed balls. I've admittedly seen him little, but his framing seems subpar. No idea how his game calling it but from what I gather it is also less than great.

[Ro Mueller]

Quero vs. Contreras will hopefully be an excellent problem to have -> essentially the best catching tandem in the league from 2025-203X, with each also getting plenty of time at DH if they're hitting well. And if Quero's not hitting well, that wouldn't actually hurt us given how inexpensive he is.

[Harold Hutchison]

On 1/22/2024 at 2:21 PM, duewizard said:

In addition to what others have said, catching is way more than errors and passed balls. I've admittedly seen him little, but his framing seems subpar. No idea how his game calling it but from what I gather it is also less than great.

Again, I'll just point to what we saw with the last two acquisitions at catcher.

Omar Narvaez and William Contreras both came in with questions about their defensive chops. By the time Narvaez left as a free agent, the questions were not about his glove. Contreras also made huge improvements on defense.

Given the team's track record of improving catchers' defense, and given that Clarke got more starts behind the plate than Biloxi's "official" backup, Nick Kahle, in 2023, I think they could improve Clarke to be at least average behind the plate.

Lots of baseball to be played, but I think the Crew has shown they can improve catchers' defensive issues and make them decent behind the plate, and Wes Clarke can be the latest in that line.

[sveumrules]

12 minutes ago, clancyphile said:

Again, I'll just point to what we saw with the last two acquisitions at catcher.

Omar Narvaez and William Contreras both came in with questions about their defensive chops. By the time Narvaez left as a free agent, the questions were not about his glove. Contreras also made huge improvements on defense.

Given the team's track record of improving catchers' defense, and given that Clarke got more starts behind the plate than Biloxi's "official" backup, Nick Kahle, in 2023, I think they could improve Clarke to be at least average behind the plate.

Lots of baseball to be played, but I think the Crew has shown they can improve catchers' defensive issues and make them decent behind the plate, and Wes Clarke can be the latest in that line.

Assuming Contreras and Haase start in Milwaukee, Clarke will be behind Quero, Austin Nola and Brian Navarreto for catching reps in Nashville to open the year.

Of course, the Brewers could always coach up Clarke's defense like they have with other guys (though those other guys were already established MLB catchers who had been primary catcher all through the minor leagues too), but reading between the lines I don't believe they would have signed Nola or re-signed Navarreto if they intended to give Clarke significant time behind the dish at Nashville.

[RedStickBrew]

17 minutes ago, clancyphile said:

Again, I'll just point to what we saw with the last two acquisitions at catcher.

Omar Narvaez and William Contreras both came in with questions about their defensive chops. By the time Narvaez left as a free agent, the questions were not about his glove. Contreras also made huge improvements on defense.

Given the team's track record of improving catchers' defense, and given that Clarke got more starts behind the plate than Biloxi's "official" backup, Nick Kahle, in 2023, I think they could improve Clarke to be at least average behind the plate.

Lots of baseball to be played, but I think the Crew has shown they can improve catchers' defensive issues and make them decent behind the plate, and Wes Clarke can be the latest in that line.

[Harold Hutchison]

18 minutes ago, sveumrules said:

Assuming Contreras and Haase start in Milwaukee, Clarke will be behind Quero, Austin Nola and Brian Navarreto for catching reps in Nashville to open the year.

Of course, the Brewers could always coach up Clarke's defense like they have with other guys (though those other guys were already established MLB catchers who had been primary catcher all through the minor leagues too), but reading between the lines I don't believe they would have signed Nola or re-signed Navarreto if they intended to give Clarke significant time behind the dish at Nashville.

Haase's time in Milwaukee ends about as soon as Quero's called up to Milwaukee. Nola may well have an opt-out in his deal should a MLB slot open up.

That puts Navarreto as the lone catcher. Clarke's found plenty of time in past seasons. Even if he is at DH/1B, they can still coach him up.

[gregmag]

No one other than you has Clarke as anything more than an emergency catcher at the MLB level. You have, for years, touted player after player after player as being able to play significant games at positions that the player had only played years and levels earlier. I can’t recall a single time any of those players has actually played the position you imagined going forward — please remind me if I’m forgetting any. People repeatedly provide evidence that the players in question can’t play the positions you’re insisting they play.  Without fail, you either ignore that evidence or cherry-pick specious stats (like, say, a catcher’s fielding percentage in a small sample) to try to dress up your baseless arguments. This isn’t creativity, or thinking outside the box, or even good faith discussion. It’s passive aggression.