(Photo: Zina Garcia/WCSN)
PHOENIX — After missing the majority of the 2024 season with a back injury, the 2025 season has a different meaning of back for junior third baseman Nu’u Contrades and on Saturday, it appeared he was on his way to returning to his 2023 form.
This year, Contrades has already played more games than he did last year, which was five. In his sixth contest, he proved that his 2023 season was no fluke, reaching base in his first four plate appearances and helping ASU baseball (5-1) beat Oral Roberts (4-1), 12-5.
“I felt really good, back up to 100%,” Contrades said. “It’s been really fun.”
Contrades had a big day at the plate with three hits, highlighted by a 408-foot two-run home run to left field that appeared to clear the bullpen. It was his first home run since April of 2023. The junior was able to spark the ASU offense as he scored all four times he reached base, also reached on an error.
The three times Contrades led off, the Sun Devils had multi-run innings that saw Contrades reach base and score. A key moment in the game was when Contrades reached on an infield single to the pitcher, showcasing the third baseman’s hustle.
“Nu’u kind of busted out a little bit,” head coach Willie Bloomquist said. “It was only a matter of time with him.”
When leading off innings this year, Contrades had struggled. Coming into today he was 0-for-6 with two walks and a hit-by-pitch, with the lone bright spot being he scored all three times that he reached.
Contrades had a big freshman campaign in 2023 going over a .300 batting average and an OPS over .800, while starting in all but two games. His freshman season saw the junior knock 40 RBIs on 67 hits with nearly double-digit home runs and stolen bases.
Contrades looked to exceed that in his sophomore season before it was cut short. He had more runs scored and RBIs than games played with an OPS over .800. Coming into the day, Contrades had struggled at the plate with a .125 average and a sub .600 OPS. The junior had only two hits but was making solid contact.
“He’s been swinging the bat well and making good, solid contact,” Bloomquist said. “[He’s] just starting to swing it more free and easy.”
This year, Contrades has reached base for every game despite only boasting two hits entering Saturday. The junior has walked six times to start the year and will likely beat his career high of nine by the end of the month, showing an improvement in his plate discipline. Today’s game put the third baseman’s OPS over the .800 mark.
Contrades will expect to lead off a fascinating lineup that can score at any time and put pressure on the defense. He will be a key player for the Sun Devils throughout the season as they try to return to the postseason for the first time since 2021.
“He feels like my brother so it’s really cool seeing him thrive the way I know he can,” junior outfielder Kien Vu said.
Close friend and roommate Vu has loved seeing Contrades return to form. The pair lives together with redshirt sophomore outfielder Brandon Compton and junior outfielder Isaiah Jackson. The roommates celebrate each other’s success — Vu and Contrades even have a $50 bet on who can steal more bases this year.
“I’m smokin’ him right now,” Vu said.
“50 more games left, it’s alright,” Contrades replied.
