Fantasy Fallout: Contreras to Popular Opinion, the Cubs Rookie Catcher's Call-up is Moot

Here are the fantasy implications following the Chicago Cubs calling up top catching prospect Willson Contreras:

Season-Long Fantasy

Any time a top prospect gets called up - see Berrios, Jose - there is an understandable influx in fantasy fanfare. Everyone wants to be in on the next big thing. Though this makes sense, Contreras should be left alone outside of NL-only or deep keeper leagues.

The Cubs are planning on rolling with a three-catcher system with Contreras splitting time with Miguel Montero and David Ross. Montero's ownership has dipped considerably due to injury and a .210 batting average. Ross, an aging part-time player, already carried little fantasy relevance outside of being an occasional DFS flier.

It is possible that Contreras impresses enough to slowly take over primary catching duties. He is slashing .353/.442/.593 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs over 240 plate appearances, so his bat's upside is greater than that of either Montero or Ross.

Without a guarantee of playing time, he is not worth serious investment in standard 5x5 leagues. The problem is, anyone who is interested in him will probably have to pick him up as ownership has already started to climb. Buyer beware.