One of the main attraction of the 2022 MLB All-Star Game was, believe it or not, New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes.
The southpaw has dominated to the tune of a 2.63 ERA in 95.2 innings, with an incredible 99 strikeouts.
He is doing it again after a shocking 2021 in which he broke out with a 2.90 ERA in 93 frames.
At this point, after two strong seasons, it’s fair to say Cortes is here to stay and is not just a product of luck.
He has a unique style that allows him to succeed with a 91-mph fastball on average.
He can change speeds and baffle hitters with an impressive cutter, an improved slider, and excellent fastball location and deception.
His delivery makes it difficult to see the ball coming out of his hand, adding to his overall package.
He Showcased All His Attributes
All things considered, he has several weapons, and is not afraid of using them.
One of these weapons is a funky delivery that he often tweaks to confound the hitter.
He tried this with New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso at the All-Star Game on Tuesday.
And, although the pitch was a ball, it was a great offering: a slider with lots of horizontal and vertical movement that Alonso was tempted to swing at.
The Yankees’ official Twitter account uploaded a part of Cortes’ turn against Alonso, while he was mic’d up.
Q: "What do you call that one, Nestor?"
A: "A good one." pic.twitter.com/uTCPn8dzph— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 20, 2022
It was hilarious to see Cortes communicating with his catcher, Jose Trevino, during the game.
It was part of what made the overall experience good for fans watching from home on their televisions.
Cortes is definitely one in a million.
NEXT: Photo Shows How The Yankees Have Returned To Dominance