Rule 5 pick Cortes hoping to add ‘wow’ factor to pitch
23-year-old left-handed rotation candidate turning heads every step of the way
SARASOTA, FLA. — Nestor Cortes Jr. is plenty happy to lean into the skepticism that will follow his quest to make the Orioles rotation as a Rule 5 draft pick. In a career that’s consisted of great successes, every bit of it has been assigned a caveat that explains his achievements as a glitch that Pitching coach Roger McDowell expects opportunities for young pitchers in rebuilding rotation the game will eventually correct.
As the Orioles coaches got their first glimpse of Cortes — the first of the club’s three Rule 5 picks who by virtue of being a starting pitcher is in the conversation to be on the major league club Opening Day — they observed quickly that there’s a lot about the left-hander that suggests a correction might never come.
“I had success in Low-A because I was facing Low-A hitters,” Cortes said. “I had success in High-A, and it’s, ‘Oh, let’s see if he can get to Double-A.’ When I did it in Double-A, it’s, ‘Oh, let’s see if he can face the veteran hitters in Triple-A.’ I guess every step of the way, I’ve proven myself to be a good pitcher.
“I think throughout the season [last year], people said, ‘Wow, Nestor is actually doing good.’ From 2015 to where I started and played advanced Rookie ball — I spent two years in the [Gulf Coast League] — until now, I’ve only gotten better. My seasons have gotten better. My numbers have gotten Nestor Cortes Jr., 23, had a combined 2.06 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in 1042⁄ innings at three levels for the Yankees organization.