A 17-year-old high school student created one of the most memorable moments of the 2026 World Baseball Classic by successfully retiring Yankees superstar Aaron Judge in a high-pressure situation with runners on all bases.
Joseph Contreras, who attends Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, Georgia, managed to force Judge into an inning-ending double play during Brazil’s 15-5 defeat against Team USA on Friday in Houston.
The young right-handed pitcher, who holds the distinction of being the tournament’s youngest participant, demonstrated incredible calm under pressure when confronting one of baseball’s most dangerous offensive players.
“Now that I look back, I’m like, okay, now I can see the magnitude of that,” Contreras shared with media members on Saturday. “I mean, bases loaded, one out. But in the moment, I was just like, I just have to execute my pitches and hopefully just get him out somehow.”
The Yankees star expressed admiration for the teenager’s abilities on the mound.
“Impressive. I know I wasn’t doing that at that age. Just great stuff,” Judge commented after Friday’s contest.
“I know he had some poise on the mound. He’s throwing up to 100 miles an hour… It was just impressive just seeing him control himself out there and get out of a big jam.”
Baseball talent runs in the Contreras family, as Joseph is the offspring of former major league pitcher Jose Contreras, who played professionally for 11 seasons and earned All-Star recognition in 2006.
“He’s got his dad’s split, obviously,” noted U.S. team manager Mark DeRosa in comments to Fox Sports.
While his father hails from Cuba, the young pitcher qualifies to play for Brazil due to his mother’s Brazilian heritage and has already caught the eye of professional scouts looking ahead to the 2026 MLB Draft.
The loss means Brazil remains winless in World Baseball Classic competition, as they make their second tournament appearance following a 16th-place finish in their initial 2013 participation.
Team USA, which finished as tournament runner-up in 2023, will continue their pool stage schedule with a matchup against Britain. Brazil’s next opponent will be Italy on Saturday.
