2026 WBC: Contreras, McLean among MLB prospects to watch

"Joseph is pitching for the Brazilian team in the WBC, an incredibly rare situation for a top high school pitching prospect. On top of that, Brazil plays the United States in pool play on March 6, so Joseph has a chance to face some of the best hitters on Earth. For scouts, getting to see him in that kind of setting is helpful, but for evaluators, getting Statcast data of his pitches while throwing a major league ball in a major league stadium months before the draft is also key."

"This is especially notable for Contreras, because the biggest question about his profile is the quality of his primary breaking pitch. He mostly threw a mid-80s slider over the summer, but is now throwing an 88-91 mph cutter that he hasn't thrown much against top competition and with ball-tracking technology in use."

"Contreras checks the boxes for a seven-figure prep righty: he has a clean arm stroke, projection in his 6-foot-5 frame, and the delivery and athleticism components to project starter traits. His fastball shape is just OK, due in large part to his short stride to the plate, and his command still comes and"

Joseph Contreras, ranked 35th in the 2026 MLB draft, is a prep right-hander from Georgia pitching for Brazil in the World Baseball Classic due to his mother's Brazilian heritage—an exceptionally rare situation for a top high school prospect. He faces the United States on March 6, offering scouts valuable evaluation opportunities in a major league setting with Statcast data months before the draft. Contreras's primary concern involves his breaking pitch quality; he previously threw a mid-80s slider but now features an 88-91 mph cutter with limited top-competition experience. His profile includes a clean arm stroke, a 6-foot-5 frame with projection potential, and a 65-grade splitter, though his fastball shape is limited by his short stride to the plate.

Read at ESPN.com