Baseball fans may recognize Nestor Cortes as a left-handed pitcher who has bounced around a few different teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). Currently, Cortes is back with the New York Yankees, the team that originally drafted him in 2013.
But how did the Yankees get Nestor Cortes in the first place? In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Cortes’ background and early career, how he was scouted and drafted by the Yankees, and what his journey has been like since then.
Whether you’re a die-hard Yankees fan or just curious about how MLB teams acquire young talent, read on to learn more about Nestor Cortes and his path to the big leagues.
Nestor Cortes’ background and early career
Nestor Cortes was born on December 10, 1994, in Hialeah, Florida. He attended Hialeah Senior High School, where he played baseball and was scouted by several MLB teams.
However, he was not selected in the 2012 MLB draft and decided to attend college at Florida International University.
Cortes played for the FIU Panthers for one season before transferring to Seminole State College of Florida, a junior college. There, he continued to hone his skills as a pitcher and caught the attention of MLB scouts.
In 2013, the New York Yankees drafted Cortes in the 36th round of the MLB draft. He opted to sign with the team and began his professional career in the Yankees’ minor league system.
Cortes spent several years in the minors, working his way up through the ranks and refining his pitching abilities. He played for several Yankees affiliates, including the Staten Island Yankees, Charleston RiverDogs, and Tampa Yankees.
During his time in the minors, Cortes became known for his deceptive pitching style, which relied heavily on changing speeds and throwing breaking balls. His success in the minors earned him a reputation as a promising young pitcher, and he caught the attention of other MLB teams.
In 2017, Cortes was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the Rule 5 draft, meaning that he was eligible to play for the Orioles at the major league level.
However, he struggled in his brief stint with the Orioles, and he was returned to the Yankees later that year. Despite this setback, Cortes continued to work hard and improve his skills, eventually making his MLB debut with the Yankees in 2019.
The 2013 MLB draft
The MLB draft is an annual event where teams select eligible amateur baseball players for their organizations. The draft usually takes place in early June, and each team gets a certain number of picks based on their record from the previous season.
The order of the draft is determined by the team’s win-loss record, with the team with the worst record getting the first pick.
Nestor Cortes was selected by the New York Yankees in the 36th round of the 2013 MLB draft. This means that he was the 1,084th player selected in that draft.
The later rounds of the draft typically feature players who are less highly regarded than those selected in the earlier rounds, and many of the players selected in the later rounds do not make it to the major leagues.
The Yankees’ decision to select Cortes in the 36th round suggests that they saw potential in him as a player. Despite being a low draft pick, Cortes had shown promise as a pitcher during his time in junior college and had caught the attention of several MLB scouts.
The Yankees likely saw something in Cortes that they believed could translate to success at the major league level.
Scouting is a crucial part of the draft process, and MLB teams devote significant resources to evaluating potential draft picks.
Teams use a variety of methods to scout players, including attending games and showcases, analyzing video footage, and conducting interviews with players and coaches.
It’s likely that the Yankees scouted Cortes extensively before drafting him in 2013. They would have evaluated his pitching ability, his physical tools, and his mental makeup to determine whether he had the potential to develop into a successful major league player.
Despite being a low draft pick, the Yankees saw enough in Cortes to take a chance on him, and their decision has paid off to some extent, as Cortes has gone on to play at the major league level.
Nestor Cortes in the Yankees’ minor league system
After being drafted by the New York Yankees in 2013, Nestor Cortes spent several years in the team’s minor league system. During this time, he continued to develop his pitching abilities and refine his approach on the mound.
Cortes had a solid performance in the minors, posting a 2.66 ERA with 344 strikeouts in 385 innings pitched across five seasons.
His most notable season in the minors came in 2017, when he pitched for the AA Trenton Thunder and posted a 2.06 ERA in 104.2 innings pitched.
The Yankees played a crucial role in developing Cortes as a player during his time in the minors. The team’s coaches and player development staff worked with Cortes to refine his pitching mechanics, improve his command, and develop his secondary pitches.
One area where the Yankees focused on developing Cortes was his ability to change speeds and throw a variety of pitches. Cortes has always been known for his deceptive pitching style, and the Yankees worked to help him hone this aspect of his game.
By adding more movement and variety to his pitches, Cortes became a more effective pitcher and was better equipped to succeed at the major league level.
In addition to working on his pitching mechanics, the Yankees also helped Cortes develop his mental approach to the game.
They emphasized the importance of mental toughness, resilience, and the ability to stay focused under pressure.
These skills have proven to be invaluable to Cortes in his career, as he has faced numerous challenges and setbacks along the way.
Overall, the Yankees’ development of Nestor Cortes in the minors played a significant role in his success as a major league pitcher.
By providing him with the resources and guidance needed to refine his game, the Yankees helped him develop into a player who was ready to compete at the highest level of professional baseball.
The 2017 Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is an annual event in Major League Baseball that takes place in December, during the offseason. The draft is designed to prevent teams from stockpiling talent in their minor league systems without giving those players a chance to play at the major league level.
The draft works by allowing teams to select players from other organizations who meet certain eligibility requirements.
To be eligible for the Rule 5 draft, players must have been signed by their current team at age 18 or younger and have played in their team’s minor league system for at least five seasons. Players who meet these requirements can be selected by another team for a fee of $100,000.
In the 2017 Rule 5 draft, Nestor Cortes was selected by the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles were attracted to Cortes’ deceptive pitching style and saw him as a potential contributor to their pitching staff.
The selection of Cortes was not surprising, as many teams view the Rule 5 draft as an opportunity to acquire promising young talent without having to give up much in return. The Yankees responded to the loss of Cortes by attempting to re-acquire him.
Under the rules of the Rule 5 draft, if a player is selected by another team, the team that originally drafted him can reclaim him by paying half of the selection fee, or $50,000.
The Yankees exercised this option and brought Cortes back into their organization. By re-acquiring Cortes, the Yankees were able to retain control of one of their top pitching prospects while also adding a promising young arm to their organization.
Cortes would go on to make his major league debut with the Orioles during the 2018 season before returning to the Yankees in 2019.
Cortes’ MLB debut with the Orioles
Nestor Cortes made his Major League debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2018, after being selected in the Rule 5 draft. He appeared in four games for the Orioles, pitching a total of 4.2 innings and allowing six earned runs on nine hits.
While Cortes struggled during his brief stint with the Orioles, his performance did provide some valuable experience and exposure to the Major Leagues.
He was able to showcase his deceptive pitching style and give teams a glimpse of his potential as a pitcher at the highest level of professional baseball.
Despite his struggles with the Orioles, the experience of making his Major League debut gave Cortes a taste of what it takes to succeed at the highest level of professional baseball.
He was able to learn from his mistakes and make adjustments to his pitching style as a result of his time with the Orioles.
Looking back, Cortes’ brief stint with the Orioles in 2018 was a critical step in his development as a pitcher.
While he struggled during his time in Baltimore, the experience of pitching in the Majors gave him the confidence and knowledge he needed to succeed at that level in the future.
It also provided valuable exposure to other teams around the league, as they were able to see firsthand what Cortes was capable of as a pitcher.
Cortes’ return to the Yankees
After his brief stint with the Orioles in 2018, Nestor Cortes was returned to the Yankees when they exercised their option to reclaim him from the Rule 5 draft.
In 2019, Cortes spent the majority of the season with the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, before being called up to the Major League team in June.
Cortes was used primarily as a long reliever and spot starter during his time with the Yankees in 2019, pitching to a 5.67 ERA in 33.1 innings across 5 starts and 15 relief appearances.
While he did show flashes of potential, he struggled with consistency at times and was ultimately left off the postseason roster.
In November 2019, the Yankees traded Cortes to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for international bonus pool money. Cortes spent the 2020 season with the Mariners, pitching to a 5.34 ERA in 34.0 innings across 5 starts and 11 relief appearances.
In January 2021, the Yankees re-acquired Cortes from the Mariners in exchange for cash considerations. He was assigned to the team’s alternate training site and eventually called up to the Major League team in June.
This time around, Cortes showed significant improvement, pitching to a 2.79 ERA in 29.0 innings across 4 starts and 8 relief appearances.
Cortes’ success in 2021 was due in part to the development of a new pitch, a cutter, which he added to his repertoire while with the Mariners.
The pitch helped him generate more swings and misses and induced weaker contact from opposing batters. Cortes also showed improved control, walking just 1.9 batters per 9 innings.
Overall, Cortes’ journey with the Yankees has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but he has shown steady improvement and has become a valuable member of the team’s pitching staff.
His versatility as both a starter and reliever, combined with his deceptive pitching style and improved control, make him an important asset for the Yankees heading into the future.
Here is a Table That Summarizes Nestor Cortes’ Career Statistics in the Major Leagues:
| Year | Team | Games Played | Innings Pitched | ERA | Wins | Losses | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | BAL | 4 | 4.2 | 7.71 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2019 | NYY | 33 | 66.2 | 5.67 | 5 | 1 | 69 |
| 2020 | SEA | 9 | 15.1 | 15.26 | 0 | 1 | 17 |
| 2021 | NYY | 28 | 29.0 | 2.79 | 2 | 2 | 36 |
This table provides a summary of Nestor Cortes’ career statistics in the Major Leagues, including the number of games played, innings pitched, earned run average (ERA), wins, losses, and strikeouts, broken down by year and team.
FAQs
What kind of pitches does Nestor Cortes throw?
Nestor Cortes is known for his deceptive pitching style and has a variety of pitches in his repertoire, including a fastball, changeup, curveball, slider, and a newly developed cutter.
Has Nestor Cortes ever been a full-time starter in the Major Leagues?
While Cortes has primarily been used as a long reliever and spot starter in his Major League career, he has started a significant number of games in the minors. In fact, in 2019, he started 22 games for the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate.
How has Nestor Cortes’ performance compared to other Yankees pitchers in recent years?
While Cortes is still a relatively new addition to the Yankees’ pitching staff, his performance in 2021 was impressive, with a 2.79 ERA in 29.0 innings pitched. Compared to other Yankees pitchers in recent years, he ranks favorably, with an ERA that is significantly lower than the team average in 2021.
Does Nestor Cortes have any notable achievements or awards?
While he hasn’t yet achieved any major individual awards or honors, Nestor Cortes has been an important contributor to the Yankees’ success, particularly in the 2021 season. His consistent performance and versatility as a pitcher have made him a valuable member of the team’s roster.
Conclusion
Nestor Cortes’ journey to the Major Leagues is a testament to his dedication and hard work as a baseball player. Despite being selected in the 36th round of the 2013 MLB draft, Cortes never gave up on his dream of playing in the Majors.
Through years of development in the Yankees’ minor league system, Cortes honed his craft and improved his pitching abilities.
While he struggled during his brief stint with the Orioles in 2018, the experience provided valuable exposure and taught him valuable lessons that he would use to improve his game.
Cortes’ subsequent return to the Yankees, his trade to the Mariners, and his subsequent return to the Yankees in 2021 all showed his resilience and determination as a player.
He has continued to improve and refine his game, becoming a valuable member of the Yankees’ pitching staff with his versatility as both a starter and reliever, deceptive pitching style, and improved control.
Overall, Nestor Cortes’ journey to the Major Leagues is a story of perseverance and hard work, and his success is a testament to the value of dedication and a never-give-up attitude in the face of adversity.
