• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

‘Nasty Nestor’ Cortes Among MLB’s Best, For Less Than $1M

  • He was the Yankees’ 36th-round pick (1,094th overall) in the 2013 draft.
  • He’s the first Yanks pitcher to record 40 strikeouts and allow six or fewer runs in his six starts in a season.
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

On a Yankees roster stacked with marquee names on one of the highest payrolls in baseball, a journeyman pitcher making just over league minimum is stealing the spotlight in the Bronx.

On Monday, Nestor Cortes flirted with a no-hitter against the Rangers in the latest superb outing for the 27-year-old lefthander. Cortes (1-1) lowered his ERA to 1.41 (3rd AL) and his WHIP to 0.97 (T7), while upping his strikeout total to 42 (4th) in six starts.

Cortes’ success is all the more impressive considering the journey he took to reach the Yankees’ starting rotation — plus the fact he is one of MLB’s softest-throwing hurlers.

  • He was the Yankees’ 36th-round pick (1,094th overall) in the 2013 draft.
  • Cortes spent parts of eight seasons in the minors and is in his third stint with the Yanks after playing with the Orioles and Mariners.
  • He’s the first Yankees pitcher to record 40 strikeouts and allow six or fewer runs in his six starts in a season.
  • His fastball averages 90.4 mph (158th in MLB), his slider 76.2 mph (144th).

In March, “Nasty Nestor” signed a one-year, $727,500 deal accounting for 0.30 percent of the team’s $246 million payroll (3rd MLB).

Since then, he has gone from being the AL-leading Yanks’ secret weapon to entering the Cy Young Award conversation, even if he still has long odds (+3000, T11).

There’s plenty of time for that to change as Cortes’ legend continues to grow.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jeff Kaplan

Letting PE Invest in Family-Owned Teams Is a ‘Watershed’

Liquidity gives owners greater flexibility to manage salary cap.

All-Star Game Returns to Atlanta With Big Plans After 2021 Exit

The league’s jewel event is set to be a global showcase for The Battery.
Bruce Meyer and Tony Clark of the MLBPA

MLB, Players’ Union Spar Over Salary Cap As Labor Fight Looms

The MLB Players Association’s No. 2 executive outlines what he sees owners doing.

Murphy: Club WC Snags Won’t Derail Biggest Event ‘in Human History’

New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium is the concluding site of both FIFA events.

Featured Today

Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.

Najee Harris Contract Situation Unclear Following Fireworks Injury

The running back signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Chargers in March.
Apr 9, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Katie Taylor (left) and Amanda Serrano (right) pose in front of Jake Paul during a press conference ahead of their boxing match at Madison Square Garden.
July 11, 2025

Serrano vs. Taylor 3 Set to Be Biggest Women’s Boxing Match in..

“I’m just sick of the whining and complaining from your team.”
Sinner
July 11, 2025

ESPN Gets Dream Alcaraz–Sinner Rematch in Wimbledon Final

The pair have won the last six men’s majors.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Jul 10, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter of their game at Thomas & Mack Center.
July 11, 2025

Cooper Flagg Makes Mavericks, New Balance Debut in Win Over Bronny

Thursday marked Flagg’s first game donning New Balance shoes.
July 10, 2025

Jalen Williams Signs Max Deal As Thunder Commit $822M to 3 Stars

Oklahoma City also extended Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.
Hall of Fame Open at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport.
July 10, 2025

Andy Roddick Slams Billionaire Bill Ackman’s Pro Tennis Gambit

“This was the biggest joke I’ve ever watched in professional tennis.”
July 10, 2025

Suns All In on Booker, Who Signs Record Extension Amidst Chaos

The Suns changed their head coach for the fourth time in four years.