The New York Yankees selected pitcher Nestor Cortes in the 36th round of the 2013 amateur draft, and he began his professional career in 2013.
He posted a 2.27 ERA in his debut year, with 38 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings, and a 2.26 ERA in 2014, with a strikeout per inning average of more over one.
He went 11-4 with 115 strikeouts and a 1.53 ERA in 106 innings pitched at four levels in 2016, allowing only 61 hits and 24 walks while striking out 115 batters (0.802 WHIP).
That year, he was promoted to Triple A and pitched in the Arizona Fall League for the first time, winning his lone start. In 2015, he was named to the Post-Season All-Star team, and in 2016, he was named to the Mid-Season All-Star team.
He was selected in the 2017 Rule V Draft by the Baltimore Orioles and made his main league debut on March 31, 2018, against the Minnesota Twins, tossing two shutout innings of relief.
Cortes was sent back to the Yankees two weeks later and spent the rest of the season in the minor leagues. He pitched 33 innings (including one start) for the Yankees in 2019, going 5-1 with a 5.67 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings.
He was dealt to the Seattle Mariners for future considerations after the season and spent the truncated 2020 season on the West Coast, where he went 0-1, 15.26 in five games.
What Is Nestor Cortes Nickname?
Nestor Cortes nickname is Hialeah Kid or Nasty Nestor.