Willson Contreras' breakout season in the Southern League for Tennessee has come as a surprise to most, even many in the Chicago Cubs organization.

Buddy Bailey wasn't one of that group, though.

"I managed against him in Venezuela over the winter and he played very well against us," the Smokies manager said. "You could see him growing up. His bat was getting better and he was doing a good job behind the plate. I told guys in Spring Training that I thought he was ready for a big year."

That's certainly been the case as Contreras seemingly has come out of nowhere to vault to No. 10 on the Cubs' prospect list while ranking No. 5 among all catching prospects, according to MLB.com.

Not bad for someone who was signed as a third baseman out of his native Venezuela in 2009 and spent six mediocre seasons in the Cubs system until this year.

"The big difference is getting the opportunity to play every day," the 23-year-old said. "I've been able to keep a good approach at the plate and get good swings every at-bat."

Contreras went into the last two weeks of the season hitting .321 with 30 doubles among his 41 extra-base hits and 68 RBIs in 113 games. Thanks to 49 walks against 56 strikeouts, his on-base percentage was .400 and to go with a .461 slugging mark.

"Playing in Venezuela this winter was a big help," the right-handed batter said. "It was my first year in the league, and I got to play against a lot of big leaguers and veteran guys. It's hard for rookies in the leagues -- a lot of pressure. But I worked through it and learned a lot."

Contreras hit five homers and drove in 17 runs over 26 games, posting a .273 average.

"It gave me confidence," he said.

Then came an expanded role this season with Contreras and top Cubs prospect Kyle Schwarber alternating behind the plate and as the designated hitter the first half of the season. When there was no DH, Contreras went back to his old spot at third base. Bailey couldn't afford to take his bat out of the lineup.

Catcher is Contreras' spot now, though. He made the switch in 2012 and is making steady progress each season.

"He's a good blocker and has a plus arm," said Bailey, a former catcher. "One area we have to get better at with experience is game calling. It's tough playing back there. It's a lot to learn for a catcher."

Contreras has also worked hard to master English.

"When I came to the United States, I couldn't speak any," he said. "I learned from my teammates and worked hard to get better. Now I'm comfortable talking to anybody."

Being able to communicate is essential for a catcher.

"He's the second manager or second pitching coach," Bailey said. "If the pitcher and catcher can understand each other, you don't have to burn a trip to the mound. It's important for them to be able to talk."

Contreras has taken over more of a leadership role at Tennessee, and with Schwarber now up with the Cubs, he's behind the plate almost every day.

"He's really made the most of his opportunity and had a great season," Bailey said. "I know it's been taxing on him mentally and physically, but he's been able to handle it well."

The jury is still out on whether Schwarber's long-term future is behind the plate or in the outfield. But Contreras has definitely found his position.

"I wanted a chance to play every day and show what I could do," Contreras said. "This year it happened and I've been able to do well. It's been a good season and I think I will keep getting better. I want to get to Chicago, too."

In brief

Fifteen-game winner: Montgomery right-hander Jacob Faria struck out 11 and walked none while allowing just two hits over seven innings in a 1-0 victory against Jackson on Aug. 23, keeping the Biscuits 2 1/2 games ahead of Birmingham in the North Divison. It was the 15th win of the season for Faria, who is 5-3 with Montgomery after going 10-1 with Charlotte of the Class A Advanced Florida State League. The 22-year-old California native has an overall ERA of 2.04 with 138 strikeouts in 136 2/3 innings. Faria was a 10th-round Draft choice by Tampa Bay in 2010.

On the mend: Tennessee first baseman Dan Vogelbach homered in his first game back with the Smokies on Aug. 22 against Montgomery. He had been on the disabled list since July 3 with an oblique strain. The Chicago Cubs' No. 13 prospect suffered a hamstring injury, and the game against the Biscuits was just his 62nd with Tennessee. Vogelbach, 22, was hitting .285 with six homers and 35 RBIs. The second-round pick in the 2012 Draft had a .412 on-base percentage thanks to 46 walks.

Moving back up: Third baseman Zack Cox was promoted from Jacksonville to Triple-A New Orleans on Aug. 19 after batting .321 with a .393 on-base percentage in 103 games. He was 12-for-19 in his final four games with the Suns, going 4-for-4 on Aug. 15 at Jackson. Cox, 26, spent all last season in the Pacific Coast League, where he hit .282 in 104 games. He was a first-round pick by St. Louis in the 2010 Draft out of the University of Arkansas before being traded to Miami in 2012.