Top prospect Willson Contreras called up by Cubs

The Chicago Cubsare unveiling their latest hot prospect, calling up catcher Willson Contreras, the team announced Friday.

Contreras was batting .350 with nine homers and 43 RBIs in 54 games at Triple-A Iowa this season. The 24-year-old won the Double-A Southern League batting title at .333 last season.

The Cubs have designated little-used catcher Tim Federowicz for assignment to make room for Contreras. The 24-year-old will serve as the third catcher behind Miguel Montero and David Ross, but it seems likely that he will get more playing time than the man he replaces.

The Cubs open a weekend series at home against the Pirates on Friday.

Contreras is the latest prospect to make his Cubs debut. After Jorge Soler hurt his hamstring at the beginning of the month, the Cubs called up outfielder Albert Almora Jr., who is batting .353 in eight games with a few clutch hits of late. He also showed off his stellar defense, throwing out a man at the plate in his first game.

Almora and Contreras add to the team's young core of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell and Javier Baez.