When the New York Yankees signed pitcher José Contreras in December 2002, the baseball world was a different place.
The number of Cuban defectors leaving the island nation to chase their dreams of playing in Major League Baseball was low. The inaugural World Baseball Classic was still four years away. And the Toronto Blue Jays were not the defending American League pennant winners.
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Flash forward to 2026. The Blue Jays, like every team, are closely watching the 2026 edition of the WBC for future talent beginning this week. And a certain Contreras has their attention.
Jose’s son, Joseph, is a 17-year-old senior at his Alpharetta, Georgia. high school. He’s also the youngest pitcher in the WBC, and a source of high hopes for Team Brazil. (Contreras’ mother, Isabel, is Brazilian and he has represented Brazil internationally in the Pan-American Games already.)
According to Bob Elliott on X, the Blue Jays are scouting Contreras in the tournament. They certainly aren’t alone.
Blue Jays scouts have been evaluating Georgia HSer RHP Joseph Contreras, son of former big leaguer José Contreras (78-67., 4.57 ERA in 11-year career). Joseph will pitch for Brasil as youngest player in WBC @WBCBaseball @Yankees @BlueJays
— bob elliott (@elliottbaseball) March 5, 2026
If he isn’t enticed by his slot bonus in the 2026 MLB Draft, Contreras has an offer to play collegiately at Vanderbilt. He has an upper-90s fastball, his best offering in a four- or five-pitch mix that should play well in college or the pros.
Brazil plays Team USA in its WBC opener on Friday.
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