Who is Joseph Contreras? What to Know About Teenager Who Forced Aaron Judge Into Double Play at WBC

Reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge came up short against the youngest player in the 2026 World Baseball Classic during a Friday night pool play matchup between Brazil and the Untied States.

Joseph Contreras, the 17-year-old son of former MLB pitcher Jose Contreras, forced Judge into a double play to end the top of the second inning.

Contreras committed to play baseball at Vanderbilt last October. He currently plays high school baseball for Blessed Trinity Catholic in Georgia.

The pitcher started out Friday's second inning by forcing Byron Buxton into a lineout before Brice Turang got on base with a double.

He then loaded the bases by walking Bobby Witt Jr. and Bryce Harper before facing Judge.

Contreras responded to the jam by forcing Judge into the double play on his third pitch. He finished out the inning without giving up a run despite the hit and two walks.

Team USA manager Mark DeRosa was asked after the double play by Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal about Contreras, who plays high school baseball against DeRosa's son Brooks.

"It's a big heater. You see it. 95, 97. He's got his dad's split, obviously, as well," DeRosa answered. "I mean, what a position for him to be in right there. Bases loaded, Aaron Judge, and he's able to get out of it."

Contreras is listed at No. 47 in MLB Pipeline's class of 2026 prospect rankings. MLB.com's scouting report described Contreras as "one of the higher-ceiling arms in the high school class."

"His best pitch is a 77-81 mph forkball that dies at the plate, though both his 82-85 mph slider and 80-83 mph changeup with fade are solid weapons as well," the MLB Pipeline scouting report states.

MLB Pipeline added that Contreras "still has room to pack plenty of muscle on his lanky frame, so he could add more power to his heater and his secondary offerings."

Contreras had already reportedly drawn some MLB interest before taking on Judge this Friday. Canadian Baseball Network's Bob Elliott reported Thursday that Toronto Blue Jays scouts have been evaluating Contreras ahead of the WBC.