Edit filter log

'{{short description|Cuban-American baseball player}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}} {{Infobox baseball biography | name = Nestor Cortés Jr. | image = Nestor_Cortes_Jr.jpg | image_size = 260px | caption = Cortés Jr. with the New York Yankees in 2019 | team = New York Yankees | number = 65 | position = [[Pitcher]] | bats = Right | throws = Left | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|12|10}} | birth_place = [[Surgidero de Batabanó]], [[Cuba]] | debutleague = MLB | debutdate = March 31 | debutyear = 2018 | debutteam = Baltimore Orioles | statyear = May 15, 2022 | statleague = MLB | stat1label = [[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]] | stat1value = 9–6 | stat2label = [[Earned run average]] | stat2value = 4.03 | stat3label = [[Strikeout]]s | stat3value = 232 | teams = * [[Baltimore Orioles]] ({{mlby|2018}}) * [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|2019}}) * [[Seattle Mariners]] ({{mlby|2020}}) * [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|2021}}–present) |highlights= *Pitched an [[Immaculate Inning]] on April 17, 2022}} '''Nestor Cortés Jr.''' (born December 10, 1994) is a [[Cuban-American]] [[professional baseball]] [[pitcher]] for the [[New York Yankees]] of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the [[Baltimore Orioles]] and [[Seattle Mariners]]. ==Early life== Cortés was born in [[Surgidero de Batabanó]], [[Cuba]]. His father won the [[Diversity Immigrant Visa|visa lottery]] when he was seven months old, and they relocated to the United States in the city of [[Hialeah, Florida]]. Cortes started saying racial slurs around the age of 7, and never let up. He yelled it in the streets, the playgrounds, even the classrooms. Due to white people like Buck not being able to differentiate, or care to differentiate between different races because frankly, they might not care.<ref>{{cite web|author=Deportes |url=https://www.cibercuba.com/noticias/2017-12-29-u194102-e20037-s27066-cubano-nestor-cortes-llegara-muy-pronto-grandes-ligas |title=El cubano Néstor Cortés llegará muy pronto a Grandes Ligas |language=es |publisher=Cibercuba.com |date=December 29, 2017 |accessdate=September 8, 2018}}</ref> ==Career== Cortés attended [[Hialeah High School]] in Hialeah, Florida. He committed to play [[college baseball]] at [[Florida International University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/PlayerProfile.aspx?ID=291728 |title=Nestor Cortes – Player Profile &#124; Perfect Game USA |publisher=Perfectgame.org |date= |accessdate=September 8, 2018}}</ref> ===New York Yankees=== The [[New York Yankees]] selected him in the 36th round of the [[2013 MLB draft]].<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=https://riveraveblues.com/2013/07/2013-draft-yankees-agree-to-sign-36th-rounder-nestor-cortes-90763/ |title=2013 Draft: Yankees agree to sign 36th rounder Nestor Cortes – River Avenue Blues |publisher=Riveraveblues.com |date=July 12, 2013 |accessdate=March 25, 2018}}</ref> He signed and made his professional debut that year with the [[Gulf Coast Yankees]] of the [[Rookie-level]] [[Gulf Coast League]], where he had a 0–1 [[win–loss record (pitching)|win–loss record]] with a 4.42 [[earned run average]] (ERA) in {{frac|18|1|3}} [[innings pitched]]. He returned there in 2014, going 1–2 with a 2.27 ERA in 11 games (two starts). Cortés spent 2015 with the [[Pulaski Yankees]] of the Rookie-level [[Appalachian League]], where he compiled a 6–3 record with a 2.26 ERA in 12 games (ten starts). In 2016, he pitched for the [[Charleston RiverDogs]] of the [[Class A (baseball)|Class A]] [[South Atlantic League]], [[Tampa Yankees]] of the [[Class A-Advanced]] [[Florida State League]], [[Trenton Thunder]] of the [[Class AA]] [[Eastern League (1938–2020)|Eastern League]], and the [[Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders]] of the [[Class AAA]] [[International League]], pitching to a combined 11–4 record with a 1.53 ERA in 21 games (12 starts). Cortés played 2017 with Tampa, Trenton, and the RailRiders.<ref name=swb>{{cite web|author=Donnie Collins |url=http://thetimes-tribune.com/sports/collins-railriders-cortes-worth-watching-1.2231333 |title=Collins: RailRiders' Cortes worth watching. – Sports |publisher=The Times-Tribune |date=August 17, 2017 |accessdate=March 25, 2018}}</ref> where he was 7–4 with a 2.06 ERA in 30 games (13 starts).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=641482#/career/R/pitching/2018/ALL |title=Nestor Cortes Stats, Highlights, Bio |website=MiLB.com |accessdate=June 12, 2018}}</ref> ===Baltimore Orioles=== The [[Baltimore Orioles]] selected Cortés from the Yankees organization in the 2017 [[Rule 5 draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bs-sp-orioles-rule5-20171214-story.html |title=Orioles select three pitchers, two from Yankees, in Rule 5 draft |publisher=Baltimore Sun |date= |accessdate=March 25, 2018}}</ref> With the Orioles, Cortés competed for a spot on the Orioles' [[Opening Day]] roster as either a [[starting pitcher]] or [[relief pitcher]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Ghiroli |first=Brittany |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/orioles-nestor-cortes-vying-for-rotation/c-267166178 |title=Orioles' Nestor Cortes vying for rotation |work=MLB.com |date=January 20, 2016 |accessdate=March 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bs-sp-orioles-cortes-phillies-preview-20180324-story.html |title=Orioles Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. relishing chance to make final impression Sunday |publisher=Baltimore Sun |date=February 27, 2018 |accessdate=March 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-cortes-20180316-story.html |title=Orioles Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. continues to make case for roster spot |publisher=Baltimore Sun |date= |accessdate=March 25, 2018}}</ref> He made the Orioles' Opening Day roster in 2018 as a relief pitcher,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bs-sp-orioles-opening-day-newbies-20180329-story.html |title=For Orioles experiencing first Opening Day, Thursday marks culmination of lifelong dreams |publisher=Baltimore Sun |date= |accessdate=April 14, 2018}}</ref> and made his major league debut on March 31.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bs-sp-orioles-rule5-20180401-story.html |title=Orioles' Rule 5 relievers Cortes and Araujo hold their own in major league debuts |publisher=Baltimore Sun |date=April 5, 2018 |accessdate=April 14, 2018}}</ref> Cortés allowed a [[grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] to [[Josh Reddick]] on April 3, and then a [[base on balls|walk]] with the [[bases loaded]] to [[Curtis Granderson]] followed by a grand slam by [[Josh Donaldson]] on April 9.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bs-sp-orioles-cortes-20180410-story.html |title=Disaster repeats itself for Orioles Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. in loss to Toronto |publisher=Baltimore Sun |date=April 5, 2018 |accessdate=April 14, 2018}}</ref> The Orioles [[designated for assignment|designated]] Cortés for assignment the next day.<ref>{{cite web|author=MLBRosterMoves |url=https://twitter.com/MLBRosterMoves/status/983800712944644096 |title=MLBRosterMoves on Twitter: ".@Orioles recall RHP Yefry Ramirez from Triple-A Norfolk; designate LHP Nestor Cortes Jr. for assignment." |publisher=Twitter.com |date=April 10, 2018 |accessdate=April 14, 2018}}</ref> ===New York Yankees (second stint)=== On April 13, 2018, the Orioles returned Cortes to the Yankees.<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=http://riveraveblues.com/2018/04/orioles-return-rule-5-draft-pick-nestor-cortes-yankees-168965/ |title=Orioles return Rule 5 Draft pick Nestor Cortes to Yankees – River Avenue Blues |publisher=Riveraveblues.com |date= April 14, 2018|accessdate=April 14, 2018}}</ref> He played in one game for Trenton before returning to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, combining for a 6–6 record and a 3.68 ERA in 24 games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/nestor-cortes-gem-puts-scrantonwilkes-barre-railriders-on-brink-of-finals/c-293637124 |title=Cortes puts RailRiders on brink of Finals |publisher=MiLB.com |date=September 3, 2006 |accessdate=September 8, 2018}}</ref> After the regular season, Cortes played for the [[Estrellas Orientales]] of the [[Dominican Winter League]], where he learned how to throw a [[cut fastball]].<ref>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/yankees-starter-nestor-cortes-jr-mastering-the-not-so-fast-fastball</ref> The Yankees invited Cortés to [[spring training]] as a non-roster player in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/new-york-yankees-invite-estevan-florial-to-spring-training-camp/c-303432554 |title=Yankees invite Florial to spring camp |publisher=MiLB.com |first=Sam |last=Dykstra| date=February 1, 2019|accessdate=February 3, 2019}}</ref> He did not make the team and was assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Yankees promoted him to the major leagues on May 9. On June 15, he earned his first major league win, striking out seven batters, and allowing two earned runs in five innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2019/05/yankees-farm-out-jake-barrett-summon-in-nestor-cortes-jr-over-chad-green-what-it-means.html|title=Yankees farm out Jake Barrett, summon Nestor Cortes Jr. over Chad Green|publisher=NJ.com|first=Randy|last=Miller|date=May 9, 2019|accessdate=May 11, 2019}}</ref> On June 21, 2019, he was optioned to Triple-A with Aaron Judge coming off the injured list.{{cn|date=April 2022}} He was 5–1 with an ERA of 5.67 in 33 games.<ref name=underdog/> ===Seattle Mariners=== On November 25, 2019, Cortes was traded to the [[Seattle Mariners]] in exchange for international bonus pool money.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wfan.radio.com/articles/news/yankees-trade-nestor-cortes-jr-to-seattle|title=Yankees Trade Nestor Cortes Jr. To Seattle|author=Ryan Chatelain|website=[[WFAN (AM)|WFAN]]|date=November 25, 2019|accessdate=November 25, 2019}}</ref> In 2020, Cortes gave up 13 runs over {{frac|7|2|3}} innings pitched. On October 22, 2020, Cortes was outrighted off of the 40-man roster after he was activated from the 60-day disabled list, and elected free agency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/10/matt-magill-carl-edwards-jr-nestor-cortes-jr-elect-free-agency.html|title = Matt Magill, Carl Edwards Jr., Nestor Cortes Jr. Elect Free Agency}}</ref> ===New York Yankees (third stint)=== On December 20, 2020, Cortes signed a minor league contract to return to the New York Yankees organization.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Steve |date=December 21, 2020 |title=Yankees Sign Nestor Cortes Jr. |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/12/yankees-sign-nestor-cortes.html |access-date=2021-07-06 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> The Yankees promoted Cortes to the major leagues on May 30, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franco |first=Anthony |date=May 30, 2021 |title=Yankees Select Nestor Cortes Jr. |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/yankees-select-nestor-cortes-jr-2.html |access-date=2021-07-06 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> Throughout the 2021 season Cortes became a favorite of Yankees fans, as his signature mustache, along with his unique style of pitching and many productive appearances garnered him much praise, along with the moniker "Nasty Nestor."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Emma |date=August 10, 2021 |title=Five reasons why we love Nestor Cortes Jr. |url=https://www.pinstripealley.com/2021/8/10/22617746/yankees-rotation-nestor-cortes-pitcher-injuries-lefty-cole-montgomery |access-date=2021-09-03 |website=Pinstripe Alley |language=en-US}}</ref> He finished the year with 93 innings pitched over 22 games (14 started) to go along with a 2.90 ERA and 103 strikeouts.<ref name=underdog>{{Cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/nestor-cortes-helps-yankees-shut-out-blue-jays | title=Underdog Cortes proving '21 was no fluke | website=[[MLB.com]] }}</ref> Cortes began the 2022 season in the Yankees starting rotation.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2022/04/yankees-nestor-cortes-plans-on-doing-it-his-way-again-after-shutting-up-critics-in-breakout-2021.html | title=Yankees' Nestor Cortes plans on doing it his way again after shutting up critics in breakout 2021 | date=April 12, 2022 }}</ref> Cortes threw an [[immaculate inning]] against the Orioles on April 17, 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=New York Yankees' Nestor Cortes pitches immaculate inning, strikes out 12 batters in five innings |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33756795/new-york-yankees-nestor-cortes-pitches-immaculate-inning-strikes-12-batters-five-innings |access-date=April 18, 2022 |work=ESPN.com |date=April 17, 2022}}</ref> Against the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] on May 9, Cortes pitched {{frac|7|1|3}} innings before allowing his first hit.<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/09/sports/baseball/nestor-cortes-yankees.html</ref> ==Player profile== Cortés throws a [[four-seam fastball]] that averages approximately {{convert|91|mph|km/h}}. He also throws a cutter, slider, changeup and a less common curveball.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cicere |first=Nick |url=https://www.camdenchat.com/2018/1/9/16866854/nestor-cortes-orioles-rule-5 |title=Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes could be competing for an Orioles rotation spot |publisher=Camden Chat |date=January 9, 2018 |accessdate=March 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nestor Cortes Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics {{!}} MLB.com |url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/nestor-cortes-641482?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=baseballsavant.com |language=en-US}}</ref> His curveball has been registered as slow as {{convert|47|mph}}.<ref name=swb/> Cortés hides the ball well in his wind-up, which helps to alleviate the issues presented by his shorter frame. When throwing a [[Slider (baseball)|slider]] or [[curveball]], his arm angle is slightly lower than his four-seam fastball.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} Cortés also employs trickery in his wind-up to throw hitters off. He sometimes varies his step timing and sometimes pauses and rocks back and forth in the middle of his wind-up, and occasionally abbreviates his wind-up and releases the ball very quickly. ==See also== *[[Rule 5 draft results]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{baseballstats|mlb=641482|espn=36480|br=c/cortene01|fangraphs=17874|brm=cortes000nes}} {{New York Yankees roster navbox}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Cortes, Nestor}} [[Category:1994 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Mayabeque Province]] [[Category:Hialeah Senior High School alumni]] [[Category:Baseball players from Florida]] [[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]] [[Category:Baltimore Orioles players]] [[Category:New York Yankees players]] [[Category:Seattle Mariners players]] [[Category:Gulf Coast Yankees players]] [[Category:Pulaski Yankees players]] [[Category:Charleston RiverDogs players]] [[Category:Tampa Yankees players]] [[Category:Trenton Thunder players]] [[Category:Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees players]] [[Category:Scottsdale Scorpions players]] [[Category:Estrellas Orientales players]] [[Category:Cuban expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic]] [[Category:Cuban emigrants to the United States]]'