Spartans shortstop emerges as pro prospect

When pro scouts ask about San Jose State shortstop Anthony Contreras, which has been happening a lot lately, Coach Sam Piraro answers by talking about intangibles.

That's because Contreras, who is batting .367 and riding a 26-game hitting streak, didn't become one of the top hitters in the Western Athletic Conference overnight.

``He's made himself into a high-caliber player,'' Piraro said. ``He's treated the game right over time, and now the game is giving something back. He's earned what he's getting because of the way he's gone about his business.''

Contreras, a senior, has emerged as a pro prospect by delivering a banner season. His hitting streak is a school record. He needs 13 hits over the final six games to break the school's single-season mark.

``Knowing how much I've worked and tried to get to this spot, this being my biggest year so far, hopefully I can go to pro ball,'' Contreras said. ``Having it all happen this year is pretty gratifying.''

Contreras wasn't a highly touted prospect coming out of Piedmont Hills High. In fact, he sought out SJSU and Fresno State, asking for a look. (Fresno State passed.)

Ready to go the junior college rout, Contreras attended SJSU's summer camp before his senior year and grabbed Piraro's attention.

``I did not offer him much of a scholarship,'' Piraro said. ``He was an under-the-radar-type player.''

Contreras played sparingly as a freshman, then became the starting shortstop as a sophomore and spent two seasons playing alongside third baseman Kevin Frandsen, now with the San Jose Giants.

``He deserves the chance to get drafted and I think he will,'' Frandsen said. ``I hope he will. He's worked hard to get there and he'll do good things because he'll work harder than the next guy.''

Contreras made great strides at the plate during the off-season by making adjustments, such as being more patient and selective and not being afraid to hit with two strikes.

``He began to get deep in the count,'' Piraro said. ``We started to see a certain professionalism, so to speak, in his at-bats.''

The changes didn't bring immediate success: Contreras opened the season with 11 hits in 48 at-bats. Since then, he is batting .406 (69 for 170), and has hit safely in 36 of 40 games.

The one flaw in Contreras' offense is the ability to hit for power, something Piraro believes will come with time. At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, Contreras has spent the past few summers adding muscle to his frame.

``I saw the level of competition my freshman year and thought I'd never be at that level,'' Contreras said. ``But working out every day, year by year, it's paid off.''