New Team, Familiar Place:: Cortes returns to Yankee Stadium as a visitor for the first time since 2018, set to pitch against his former teammates.
Unique Style:: Known for his 'funky' delivery with varying arm angles and cadences, Cortes achieved success (3.80 career ERA, 2022 All-Star) despite a fastball averaging around 92 mph.
Why this matters:: His ability to disrupt timing is key to his effectiveness and makes him a compelling pitcher to watch.
Brewers Need Him:: Milwaukee's rotation faced several Spring Training injuries, making Cortes's performance crucial for their stability early in the season.
Personal Stakes:: Cortes is pitching in a contract year before hitting free agency and his wife is expecting their first child soon. He also might face his childhood friend, J.C. Escarra, who recently made the Yankees roster.
Reflecting on NY:: Cortes acknowledges the bittersweet end to his Yankees tenure (World Series Game 1 loss) but emphasizes the positive experiences and growth during his time in pinstripes.
Nestor Cortes's journey back to Yankee Stadium in a Brewers uniform highlights the unpredictable nature of baseball careers. Originally a late-round Yankees draft pick in 2013, Cortes had stints with Baltimore (Rule 5) and Seattle before finding sustained success during his third tenure with New York, blossoming into an All-Star in 2022.
His effectiveness stems from a deceptive pitching style rather than overpowering velocity. By altering his arm slots and delivery timing, he keeps hitters off balance – a skill Christian Yelich noted makes him 'unique'. This 'funkiness' led to his fastball ranking highly in run value despite its speed.
The trade came after the Yankees signed Max Fried, creating a surplus of starting pitchers. Cortes understood the move, recognizing the team's needs. The Brewers acquired him hoping he can replicate his recent success (career-high 30 starts and 174.1 innings last season before a late forearm injury) and anchor a rotation currently relying on him, Freddy Peralta, and Aaron Civale as established starters due to injuries sidelining others like Tobias Myers, Aaron Ashby, and DL Hall.
Cortes expressed gratitude for his time with the Yankees, calling them 'like family,' but feels welcomed by the Brewers, believing they have a 'special' team capable of competing.
Why was Nestor Cortes traded from the Yankees to the Brewers?
The Yankees had acquired several starting pitchers, including Max Fried, leading to a surplus. They traded Cortes to the Brewers, acquiring closer Devin Williams and prospect Caleb Durbin to address other team needs.
What makes Nestor Cortes' pitching style different?
He relies on deception rather than high velocity. Cortes frequently changes his arm angle and the rhythm of his delivery to disrupt hitters' timing and make his pitches, including a ~92 mph fastball, more effective.
How does Cortes feel about facing the Yankees?
He described returning to Yankee Stadium as a visitor as 'a little weird' and admitted to having 'feelings' but stated he is ready to compete against his former team, focusing on the positive memories from his time there.
Cortes is a significant addition to the Brewers' pitching staff, especially given their current injury situation.
His unconventional pitching style makes his starts intriguing to watch.
Saturday's game holds emotional weight as Cortes faces his former team and potentially his childhood friend, J.C. Escarra.
His performance this season will be closely watched as he aims for consistency and heads towards free agency.
How do you think Cortes will fare against his former teammates in his Brewers debut? Let us know!
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Source 2: New York Post
Source 3: New York Daily News
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