Blue Jays Scouting 17-Year-Old Son of Yankees Star in WBC

Joseph Contreras, the youngest player in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, has drawn interest from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly scouting 17-year-old Joseph Contreras, the son of former MLB pitcher José Contreras, during the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Joseph, a senior at his high school in Alpharetta, Georgia, is the youngest player in the tournament and is pitching for Team Brazil. The Blue Jays are not alone in their interest, as Joseph has an offer to play collegiately at Vanderbilt and is expected to be a high draft pick in the 2026 MLB Draft thanks to his upper-90s fastball and four- or five-pitch mix.

Why it matters

The scouting of Joseph Contreras by the Blue Jays highlights the growing interest in young international talent, especially as the World Baseball Classic continues to showcase rising stars from around the globe. Contreras' dual Brazilian and Cuban heritage also adds an interesting wrinkle, as teams look to uncover the next generation of talent from diverse backgrounds.

The details

Joseph Contreras, the 17-year-old son of former MLB pitcher José Contreras, is the youngest player participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Contreras, a senior at his high school in Alpharetta, Georgia, is pitching for Team Brazil in the tournament, thanks to his mother's Brazilian heritage. The Toronto Blue Jays are among the teams scouting Contreras, who has an offer to play collegiately at Vanderbilt and is expected to be a high draft pick in the 2026 MLB Draft due to his upper-90s fastball and four- or five-pitch mix.

  • The 2026 World Baseball Classic is currently underway.
  • Joseph Contreras is a 17-year-old senior in high school.

The players

Joseph Contreras

The 17-year-old son of former MLB pitcher José Contreras, who is the youngest player participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic and is pitching for Team Brazil.

José Contreras

A former MLB pitcher who played 11 seasons in the majors, including for the New York Yankees.

Toronto Blue Jays

The defending American League pennant winners who are scouting Joseph Contreras during the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

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What they’re saying

“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”

— Bob Elliott, Reporter (X)

What’s next

If Joseph Contreras impresses during the World Baseball Classic, he could be a high draft pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, with the Toronto Blue Jays and other teams likely to be in the mix to select him.

The takeaway

The scouting of Joseph Contreras by the Toronto Blue Jays underscores the growing global reach of baseball talent, as teams look to uncover the next generation of stars from diverse backgrounds. Contreras' dual Brazilian and Cuban heritage, combined with his impressive skills on the mound, make him an intriguing prospect for the future of the sport.