One-on-one: Contreras' competitive drive rivals his heat

ALTOONA, Pa. -- Each time Altoona Curve pitcher Roansy Contreras toes the rubber, it's a competition. 

Not only with those on the other team, but internally within himself.

That competitive spirit and drive has played a large part in who Contreras is when he's on the mound, and the success that continues to roll in.

Contreras gets the ball each Tuesday for Altoona and he rarely disappoints, starting the season 3-1 with a 1.63 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings in five starts. That type of dominance should get righty promoted to Class AAA Indianapolis sooner rather than later, but until then it's all about competing and striving for that next level according to Contreras.

"I've learned a lot about the mental game this year and I'm just trying to learn something game by game," Contreras was telling me through interpreter Curve catcher Raul Hernandez. "I feel good right now just trying to compete every time."

And compete he has for the Curve in his first dose of Class AA baseball, as opponents are hitting a paltry .160 against him through his first five starts. 

One might think there's some complex way Contreras goes about his business each day, but it's rather simple to be quite honest. 

"As a pitcher just continue pitching, continue to get outs, get strike outs. Get to the next level, that's it," Contreras said.

That simplicity is part of what has made Contreras so dominant since coming to the Pirates' organization by way of the Jameson Taillon trade with the Yankees this off-season.

Well, that and simply electric stuff:

Life's not always fair for opposing hitters when they have to face that, but not many are complaining on the Altoona or Pirates' side of things. In fact, with a fastball that is routinely in the mid to upper 90s with movement and a curveball that averages nearly 3,000 RPMs -- elite by Major-League standards -- it's no surprise Contreras has been this dominant.

With that AA dominance, Contreras has his eyes set on one thing primary goal this season: Get to the big leagues. 

"This year, my focus is to get to the big show," Contreras said. "Get big league time, no matter how many innings over there. Like, one inning or three innings. Just get to the big show."

There doesn't seem to be much in the way of Contreras making it to the big show, except for he's not truly faced a lot of adversity quite yet. Granted, his start against Erie saw him yield all five of his earned runs on the season, but aside from that, he's been one of the most dominant arms in the league, as well as minor league baseball.

With the way he's pitched, it serves as no surprise why the Pirates wanted him and deservedly so. It's clear to see the makeup of Contreras when around him as he exudes confidence both in himself but also in his game and which gives him the potential to go as far as he wants to go in this game.

"I trust in myself and I feel as if baseball is the same at every level," Contreras said. "I just try to get in there every single day and get a strong mind, compete and be the best every single day."

That strong mind Contreras speaks of is shaped everyday whether he's throwing a bullpen, on a recovery day or even in the game. The information Contreras processes comes from the opponents, but also the game situation when he's on the rubber.

"The mental game for me is information, what information you get from another team. Every bit of information we can get is good," Contreras said. "During games the situations presented help fuel me as well. If there's a runner on second, I use it as motivation to get the out and get the hitter and not allow runs for the other team. I always try to get out of difficult situations as best I can and for me, that's what I consider a strong mind."

Contreras has a major league make up already to go with major league stuff. When he gets there is anybody's guess, but for now Contreras takes the ball every Tuesday for Altoona and competes with confidence and poise that will undoubtedly make him successful for years to come.