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12/31/21

Player Profile: Carlos Cortes


Carlos Cortes - Photo Courtesy of Ernest Dove


Carlos Cortes 

Background, Stats, Videos.

Background:

OF/2B, Bats Left, Throws Both, DOB 6/30/1997; 5' 7", 197 pounds; Drafted: 2018 June Amateur Draft - Round: 3, Pick: 5, Overall: 5, Team: New York Mets.  Rule 5 Eligible. All three Minor League Options remain.

Carlos started off real hot in 2021, had a tough July but rebounded in August to finish with a solid year.  Always a very good hitter with men on base (.327/.422/.545 with runners in scoring position and 2 outs & .289/.352/.513 overall with runners in scoring position in 2021), the Mets decided to bat him leadoff.  I thought the Mets were not using him correctly. However in 255 plate appearances in the leadoff spot vs. 77 hitting 3rd - he hit .285/.365/.534 in the leadoff spot Vs. .182/.234/.352.  Even hitting leadoff for most of the year, he had the 5th highest RBI total in the Mets minor league system (57) behind Francisco Alvarez (70), Ronny Mauricio/Jose Peroza (64) and Mark Vientos (63).

His solid 2021 led to Carlos being selected to represent the Mets in the Arizona Fall League.  In 17 games he hit .236/.358/.309 with 5 RBIs, 2 doubles, 1 triple.  

After being chosen as one of the 7 to represent the Mets in Arizona, it surprised many that he was not added to the 40 man Mets roster and is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this Winter. 

If he stays with the Mets, I expect him to start the year in Syracuse and possibly make it to Queens as a lefty off the bench if not in 2022 then in 2023.   

Sam Dyksta MiLB.com Meet the Mets' 2021 Organization All-Stars: "Known for his ambidextrous throwing -- righty at second base, lefty in the outfield -- Cortes’ positionality was settled this season when the Mets played him exclusively in the outfield corners with Binghamton....257/.332/.487 line and 14 homers in 79 games. That resulted in a career-best 120 wRC+, making him a solidly above-average hitter for Double-A."

Fangraphs: “'When I was around eight years old, my dad told me that my chances of playing a position would increase if I was able to throw right-handed,'” explained Cortes...“'I didn’t really like it at first — he kind of forced me to do it — but by the time I got to high school, I was pretty natural with it. I caught my first couple years, then played second my junior and senior years, as well as in the outfield. I kind of played everywhere.'”

Mets.com has Carlos as their #11 Mets Prospect.

Mack's Mets Tom Brennan had Carlos as his #8 Prospect saying: "42 XBHs in just over 300 AA at bats? Little guy, with a big XBH bat.  His playing only 34 regular season games after June stifled his stats for 2021; thru June he had a crazy-good 27 XBHs in his first 45 games of 2021."

SNY.TV: Mets top 20 Prospects for 2022 season: #13 Carlos Cortes - "Cortes is a natural hitter packed into a 5-foot-7, 195-pound frame. He has a big effort swing that leans power over contact that led to 26 doubles and 14 home runs in 79 games with Double-A Binghamton."

Mack had Carlos as one of his "Red" prospects in July: "I’m not sure if Cortes is a potential starter in Queens, but he sure is starting to look like a qualified power bat off the bench."

Carlos Cortes' Baseball Savant page: 



FanGraphs:

Hit

Game Power

Raw Power

Speed

Field

FV

40 / 55

45 / 50

55 / 55

40 / 40

20 / 30


40


Stats:

Hitting:


Hitting Splits: 


Fielding:


Videos and Audio:

Before each Binghamton Rumble Ponies game, Announcer Jacob Wilkins interviews the Rumble Pony players, coaches, and staff.  Below is an interview he did in 2021 with Carlos Cortes. 

For all of Jacob’s pregame interviews go here.  

You Tube: Carlos Cortes Reflects on His 2021 Season



MLB.com: Carlos Cortes' three hit Arizona Fall League Game.

 

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6 comments:

  1. Tom BrennanDecember 31, 2021 at 2:45 PM

    Interesting that Fangraphs 1) has his hit tool growing to become substantially better, and 2) his defense that weak. I wonder as an OF if he can get his future defense number up from 30 to 40?

    Being ambidextrous in the outfield could be an advantage - if he is in right field, hits in the corner he could throw in lefty, hits in the gap to the wall, he could throw righty, so he'd not have to pivot his body to throw. Not saying he does that, but it could shorten up time getting the ball back in.

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  2. TexasGusCCDecember 31, 2021 at 3:07 PM

    It’s ironic that you feature Carlos Cortes today John because I had him on my mind this morning. I guess those extra base hits are impressive in just half a season, but what bothers me is that he doesn’t have a position. As I noticed the defensive ratings and saw that 20/30 above, I too was disappointed - but I agree with it. Even in the minors, this guy doesn’t have a firm position. At least Wilmer Flores did - and he seems very Wilmer Flores-lite from the left side.

    I really don’t see any team taking him in Rule 5 and expecting to carry him all year - especially in light of a poor AFL showing in which he wasn’t even playing much by the end of the season. He is a pure lefty-lefty guy as the right arm is weak and so they put him in the outfield. I’d like to know if the kid is willing to give catching a try as a lefty throwing catcher, but ultimately I would like him to be a complete utility guy that can even catch to save a team a roster spot and can hit some too. That player has value. Right now, to me, Cortes’ profile doesn’t.

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  3. Mack AdeDecember 31, 2021 at 3:20 PM

    Followed him in college


    Wasn't that excited then but much more excited now.

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  4. John From AlbanyDecember 31, 2021 at 3:26 PM

    I have always loved how he hits the ball hard in the clutch. He has always been one of the top players on the field in any game I have seen him play. Hope to see him next year in Syracuse.

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  5. Tom BrennanDecember 31, 2021 at 5:44 PM

    Gus I wonder if you are aware of any position guys that were a few years into their pro career and switched to catcher. I keep hearing that Alvarez needs to improve on his catching, and he's been catching for years. Seems it would be a long transition.

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  6. Tom BrennanDecember 31, 2021 at 5:51 PM

    The odd thing is that Cortes has played the equivalent of about 65 full games in the minors in the outfield and made just 1 error, so it is hard to believe that 20/30 thing - maybe that is as a second baseman. 1 error in 65 outfield games is excellent. It doesn't make him a strong defensive OF, but hard to imagine he is bad out there, either.

    ReplyDelete