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For Chicago Cubs, Contreras moves in to No. 1 behind plate

It would be difficult to imagine a more auspicious big-league debut than the one Willson Contreras experienced last June.

In his first major-league at-bat, Contreras hit the first pitch he saw out of the park for a 2-run homer against the Pirates.

Easy game, huh?

No, it's never that easy, but Contreras is learning his craft and by all accounts he has been a quick study.

That will be important for the Chicago Cubs this year because the entire dynamic behind the plate has changed. Respected veteran David Ross retired after the World Series, leaving the catching duties to second-year man Contreras, veteran Miguel Montero and that kid named Kyle Schwarber.

Given good health, Contreras will get the bulk of the catching duties. Montero will be the primary backup, and Schwarber will ease his way into third-catcher duties as he comes back from major knee surgery performed last April after a collision that happened while he was playing left field.

So far, everybody seems to be on board with the program.

Contreras is happy to be the No. 1 catcher. Montero, who expressed dissatisfaction with how he was used in the postseason, ironed things out with manager Joe Maddon during a pasta-and-vino summit. And Schwarber seems happy to be playing anywhere.

Contreras certainly puts a charge into the Cubs' battery. In 55 games last season, he compiled a hitting line of .282/.357/.488 with 12 home runs and 35 RBI. Even in limited time, he had a wins above replacement (WAR) of 2.2, according to FanGraphs. That was good for seventh among National League catchers.

He's a ball of energy behind the plate, which can be both a good and a bad thing. The Cubs have a veteran pitching staff, and those pitchers like a steady hand catching them.

On top of that, Contreras will be the primary catcher for ace lefty Jon Lester, who threw to Ross the past two seasons.

Lester made his spring debut Sunday, working with Contreras.

"We'll figure it out," Lester told reporters. "It's just a matter of throwing innings and pitches and all that stuff. I'm not concerned with it at all. Willie's such a good kid and cares, and he wants to learn and get better. I don't see any reason why this is ever going to be an issue for anybody."

According to Maddon, controlling the opposing team's running game will be a key factor, especially given Lester's well-known problems throwing to first on attempted pickoffs. Ross and Lester were able to halt the running game effectively by having Lester step off the mound and by having Ross work with first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

"We're going to have David mentor (Contreras) a little bit regarding the thought, the process, the conversations he's had with Jonny in the past," Maddon said, "and continue to move it forward from there. We feel really good about it. I think it's a real naturally good matchup with Willson and Jon."

Contreras is a right-handed batter, and both Montero and Schwarber hit left-handed. Montero had a line of .216/.32.357 with 8 homers and 32 RBI last year, but he added some big hits in the postseason and could provide an attractive option for Maddon when the opponent throws a tough right-hander at the Cubs.

Schwarber sits in on the daily catchers meetings in spring training, but he does physical work behind the plate just once or twice a week. Given Schwarber's powerful bat, the Cubs will take no unnecessary chances with his knee.

Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.comChicago Cubs catcher Miguel Montero gets ready for a drill during Spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, Wednesday.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.comCubs left fielder/catcher Kyle Schwarber and manager Joe Maddon walk back to the clubhouse together following the team's Spring training workout at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, Wednesday.
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