New Red Sox outfielder crushes three-run homer in 7-2 win over Northeastern
The Red Sox opened up the spring with an exhibition win over Northeastern University, 7-2 from JetBlue Park. One of the star players of the game for the Red Sox was new outfielder Mark Contreras, who connected for a three-run homer to right field in the third inning.
“He’s a good player,” said manager Alex Cora to reporters postgame. “We recognized him early in the offseason. Good athlete. Good baserunner.”
Boston signed Contreras to a minor league deal this winter.
Contreras spent the last seven seasons in the Twins organization, after being selected in the ninth round of the 2017 MLB draft out of UC Riverside.
The 28-year-old made his big-league debut last May, playing in 28 games for the Twins, posting a .121 batting average (7-for-58) with one double, three homers, six RBIs, nine runs scored, one stolen base, a walk and 21 strikeouts.
The Twins outrighted Contreras off their 40-man roster last December after signing Joey Gallo. He went unclaimed and was sent back to Triple-A St. Paul.
While playing with the Saints, the left-handed hitter slashed .274/.352/.418 to go along with 17 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 54 RBIs over 381 plate appearances. He was later released by the Twins in August.
For his career in Triple-A, Contreras is a lifetime .252 hitter with 43 homers, 64 doubles, 176 RBs, 58 stolen bases in 1,198 games.
The 6-foot outfielder has versatility playing all three outfield positions. Contreras is expected to start with the season with the WooSox.
