Nestor Cortes Jr., born on December 10, 1994, in Surgidero de Batabanó, Cuba, is a renowned Cuban-American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.
This comprehensive biography delves into Nestor’s life, covering his early years, career achievements, net worth, personal life, and relationships.
Biography
At the age of 29 (as of 2024), Nestor’s journey began in Cuba. His father, Nestor Cortes Sr., won the visa lottery, prompting their relocation to Hialeah, Florida, when Nestor was seven months old.
Nestor’s father faced challenges, including an unsuccessful attempt to defect from Cuba, highlighting the sacrifices that shaped Nestor’s upbringing.
Early Life and Education
Nestor’s early interest in baseball emerged at the age of four, inspired by visits to see the Florida Marlins play. He attended Hialeah High School in Florida, later committing to play college baseball at Florida International University.
Nestor Cortes Career
The New York Yankees picked up Nestor Cortes in the 36th round of the 2013 MLB draft. He agreed to a deal with the Yankees, receiving an $85,000 signing bonus.
Cortés started his professional career that year with the Gulf Coast Yankees in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, posting a 0–1 record with a 4.42 ERA in 18+1⁄3 innings pitched.
He returned in 2014, going 1–2 with a 2.27 ERA in 11 games (two starts). Nestor Cortes spent 2015 with the Pulaski Yankees in the Rookie-level Appalachian League, achieving a 6–3 record and a 2.26 ERA in 12 games (ten starts).
In 2016, he played for the Charleston RiverDogs, Tampa Yankees, Trenton Thunder, and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, combining for an 11–4 record with a 1.53 ERA in 21 games (12 starts).
Cortés continued with Tampa, Trenton, and the RailRiders in 2017, concluding the season with a 2.06 ERA across the three levels. Moving to the Baltimore Orioles, Cortés was selected in the 2017 Rule 5 draft.
During spring training, he competed for a spot on the Orioles’ Opening Day roster, making it as a relief pitcher in 2018. Cortés had his major league debut on March 31 but faced challenges, leading to his designation for assignment on April 10.
The Orioles returned Nestor Cortes to the Yankees on April 13, 2018. He played in one game for Trenton before returning to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, finishing the season with a 6–6 record and a 3.68 ERA in 24 games. Cortés then played for the Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Professional Baseball League.
In 2019, the Yankees invited Cortés to spring training as a non-roster player. He joined the major league roster on May 9 and had a notable win on June 15. Cortés finished the season with a 5–1 record and a 5.67 ERA in 33 games.
On November 25, 2019, the Yankees traded Cortés to the Seattle Mariners. He faced challenges with an elbow injury in 2020, giving up 13 runs over 7+2⁄3 innings pitched. Cortés was outrighted off the 40-man roster on October 22, 2020.
Cortés returned to the Yankees on December 20, 2020, signing a minor league contract. He began the 2021 season with the RailRiders and was promoted to the major leagues on May 30.
Cortés became a fan favorite in 2021, earning the nickname “Nasty Nestor” and finishing the year with a 2.90 ERA and 103 strikeouts. In 2022, Cortés started the season in the Yankees’ rotation.
He achieved notable milestones, including an immaculate inning and selection for the 2022 All-Star Game. Cortés concluded the regular season with a 12-4 record and a 2.44 ERA in 158+1⁄3 innings pitched.
The 2023 season saw Cortés facing challenges, starting with a 5.16 ERA across 11 starts. He landed on the injured list with a left rotator cuff strain on June 8, later being transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 7.
Cortés returned on August 5 but faced another setback, returning to the injured list on August 11 due to the rotator cuff strain. The season officially ended for him on September 12, finishing with a 5–2 record and a 4.97 ERA in 63+1⁄3 innings pitched over 12 starts.
Cortés is known for his pitching repertoire, including a four-seam fastball, cutter, slider, changeup, and a curveball. His curveball has been recorded as slow as 47 miles per hour.
Cortés employs various techniques in his wind-up to keep hitters guessing, including varying step timing and occasional pauses and rocking back and forth.
Nestor Cortes Net Worth (as of 2024)
Nestor’s financial trajectory is examined, with estimates of his net worth ranging from $1 million to $1.5 million in 2022, surging to around $5 million in 2023.
Insights into his $3.2 million contract with the Yankees for 2023 provide a glimpse into his financial success.
Nestor Cortes’s Personal Life
Nestor’s personal life takes center stage, including his engagement to Alondra Esteras Russy after the 2022 All-Star Game.
The couple’s journey, from engagement to a private wedding celebration in Miami, showcases the personal side of this baseball sensation.
Parents and Siblings
Details about Nestor’s family, including his father Nestor Cortes Sr., mother Yuslaidy, and the challenges they overcame, provide a deeper understanding of the familial influences that shaped Nestor’s character.
In Conclusion
This comprehensive biography of Nestor Cortes Jr. captures the essence of his life, from a Cuban-born baseball enthusiast to a celebrated professional pitcher.
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