Who would have thought that New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes would become such a dominant pitcher after being discarded by three different teams, including the Bombers themselves?
In a span starting in 2018 and ending in 2020, Cortes played for the Baltimore Orioles, the Yankees, and the Seattle Mariners, failing to establish himself the three times.
But Sam Briend and Matt Blake took over and helped him become an ace last season.
His 2022 performance is only confirming that status.
In fact, Cortes has already done something that no pitcher in franchise history has done before.
“Nestor Cortes has 4 games with 5+ IP and 1 hit or fewer allowed this season. That’s the most by any pitcher in a single season in Yankees history,” Katie Sharp, stats expert, tweeted.
Nestor Cortes has 4 games with 5+ IP and 1 hit or fewer allowed this season.
That's the most by any pitcher in a single season in Yankees history.
— Katie Sharp (@ktsharp) September 26, 2022
Cortes Is Very Tough To Square Up Even Without Top-Tier Stuff
Cortes is extremely tough to hit against: he has allowed just 107 hits in 151 frames, an impressive ratio.
He also limits walks (36) and strikes out a batter per inning (151), so he has the numbers to back up his excellent 2.56 ERA.
Allowing a hit or less in five innings or more in four different occasions is not easy to achieve.
Some great hurlers have come and gone throughout Yankees history: Lefty Gomez, Don Larsen, Whitey Ford, Ron Guidry, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina, and CC Sabathia are just a few of them.
None of them has achieved what Cortes wrapped up on Sunday with his six-inning, no-run, one-hit performance.
It’s way past time to take Cortes seriously.
He is more than just a funky pitcher with an awkward delivery.
He is a bonafide ace, and has shown it for two straight years.
NEXT: Nestor Cortes Comments On His Funky Deliveries