There are surnames that are not forgotten, Contreras is one of them. José Ariel Contreras was once on top of Cuban baseball, he was once a major league star, and Olympic champion. Now, that surname brings us a new star on the maling, his son, Joseph who is turning heads with his style of pitching.
On Tuesday afternoon, the aforementioned Joseph Contreras pitched a perfect game against Westminster Christian. The right-hander only threw 52 pitches with nine strikeouts, in a a 10-0 victory that extended Blessed Trinity Catholic’s winning streak to 18 games.
The young man dominated as if he’d been pitching for ten years and he’s barely turning 17. But Contreras isn’t just shining at the pre-college level. Perfect Game, the site every scout uses as a guide, already ranks him as one of the most coveted arms in the 2026 draft. It’s no coincidence. It’s not just a surname. It’s pure talent and genetics.
Standing at 6’5″ (1.95m), Contreras throws a 94 mph fastball, a curveball around 80, a slider that reaches 83, and a split-finger with depth ranging between 71 and 74. All of this with polished mechanics, control, and an imposing mound presence.
The latest Perfect Game report rates him 9.5 out of 10, a number reserved for those destined to make a splash beyond the amateur ranks. But he doesn’t stop there. He also bats with both hands, with an exit velocity above 90 mph. In other words, Joseph isn’t just a pitcher, he’s a complete player. A serious project.