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William Contreras would join elite company with a Silver Slugger Award in 2026

The Brewers' All-Star backstop has a chance at franchise history this year.
Aug 28, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA;  Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) reacts after driving in a run with a base hit in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at American Family Field.  Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Aug 28, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) reacts after driving in a run with a base hit in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After an inconsistent performance during the month of July, Milwaukee Brewers' All-Star catcher William Contreras, aka "Wild Bill," has put together an impressive month of August. Through 25 games during the month, the two-time Silver Slugger has recorded eight extra-base hits, his highest total in any month this season. Contreras has three home runs, five doubles, and is slashing .263/.357/.411 during this stretch.

Perhaps most impressively, Contreras has reached base safely in all but three games this month, providing the kind of consistency the Brewers need heading into the postseason. His improved production also has his slugging percentage trending closer to the level he’ll need if he hopes to make a run at the Silver Slugger Award for National League catchers this year, an award he has been a finalist for in each of the last three years.

William Contreras could become just the fourth Brewer to win at least three Silver Slugger Awards

Contreras won the Silver Slugger award in back-to-back seasons in 2023 and 2024, his first two seasons with the Brewers. During those seasons, he posted slugging percentages of .457 and .466, respectively. That number dipped just below .400 last season (.399), although it’s important to remember that Contreras played through a fractured finger for much of the year, which undoubtedly affected his production.

This year, even with his impressive August production, Contreras’ slugging percentage remains below his previous Silver Slugger-winning levels, sitting at .399. For context, two of the anticipated National League frontrunners for the award, Hunter Goodman and Drake Baldwin, are at .545 and .454, respectively. Goodman’s mark has been fueled by 36 home runs and 16 doubles, while Baldwin sits at 22 long balls and 13 doubles. For context, Contreras currently has 13 home runs and 21 doubles.

If Contreras wants to join Robin Yount (3), Cecil Cooper (3), and Ryan Braun (5) as the only players in Brewers franchise history with at least three Silver Slugger Awards, he will need an incredible hot streak over the final month of the regular season to make it happen.

The odds of Contreras putting together a final month strong enough to surpass Goodman or Baldwin for the Silver Slugger may be a long shot, but he should still be a finalist. More importantly, his recent surge comes at an ideal time for Milwaukee. If Contreras can carry this momentum into October, the Brewers’ offense will be in a much better position to make a deep postseason run.

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