Contreras Posts .381 Average to Lead Brewers to First Title

William Contreras was named the most valuable player of the 2026 World Series after guiding the Milwaukee Brewers to their first championship.

The franchise has existed for decades without a ring, making this the first title in its history. Contreras arrived in Milwaukee in December 2022 via a three-team trade involving the Atlanta Braves and the Oakland Athletics. Since then, he has appeared in two All-Star Games. The World Series MVP award is his newest distinction with the club.

Contreras delivered consistent results throughout the five-game series. He recorded at least two hits in the first three contests. This made him the 27th player in World Series history to achieve that milestone. In Game 3, he collected three hits. In the opening game, he combined two hits with two pickoffs of baserunners.

His statistical line for the series included eight hits in 21 at-bats. His batting average stood at .381. He drove in four runs and struck out only once. Defensively, he succeeded on 10 of 14 automatic ball-strike challenges. He also threw out four of nine runners attempting to steal bases.

After Game 5, Contreras spoke through an interpreter. He said he did not have words to describe how he was feeling. He thanked his teammates and manager Pat Murphy, stating he wanted to thank all of them.

Reliever Aaron Ashby praised Contreras for setting the tone for the group. Ashby noted that the team is not what it is without him. He described Contreras as the team's bulldog who wants to compete every day. Ashby himself pitched five and two-thirds scoreless innings during the series.

Other Brewers players also performed well. Jackson Chourio batted .458 with 11 hits in 24 at-bats. Rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt went eight for 19 for a .421 average. Pratt hit safely in four consecutive at-bats across Games 4 and 5. Contreras is the first catcher to win the award since Salvador Perez did so with the Kansas City Royals in 2015.