Chris Cortez displayed significant growth throughout his junior season, culminating in an impressive performance during Texas A&M’s runner-up finish in the College World Series.
The talented right-handed pitcher started the season as a starting pitcher before transitioning to a multi-inning reliever role. He thrived out of the bullpen due to his power sinker and slider combination.
Cortez’s development and success over the past six months have propelled him up MLB draft boards. Scouts now consider him a second or third-round pick in this year’s draft, which begins on Sunday.
“I’m super grateful,” Cortez said. “There are no real words to describe it. It’s been a dream for me. I’m thankful to be in the position I am in for the draft.”
Cortez is a 6-foot, 210-pound right-handed pitcher who throws a sinker, sweeper, cutter and changeup from a three-quarters arm slot. He uses a repeatable, low-effort and efficient delivery.
An above-average sinker and slider highlight his pitch mix. Cortez switched to the sinker in the months leading up to his junior season after throwing a four-seam fastball throughout his career. Despite its velocity, Cortez’s fastball was a very hittable pitch. Switching to the sinker allowed him to throw a high-90s pitch with tons of sinking action that hitters struggle to hit in the air.
Cortez’s slider features tons of movement and is a devesting swing-and-miss offering. He also mixes in his cutter and changeup. Right now, Cortez shows a strong two-pitch mix. He hopes to serve as a starting pitcher in pro ball but remains open to working as a high-leverage reliever. He must develop a consistent and reliable third offering to start at the next level.
“I’m a competitor,” Cortez said. “You know what you’re going to get out of me. When I go out there, I will do whatever I can to help the team win. I just compete.”
Cortez had a unique career at Texas A&M, transforming himself into a talented and reliable pitcher. He showed glimpses of his potential as a reliever his freshman season, posting a 4.91 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 13 walks allowed in 44 innings. He struggled with his control last season, resulting in a 7.34 ERA with 39 strikeouts and 40 walks allowed in 41 2/3 innings.
This spring, Cortez had a 2.78 ERA with 102 strikeouts and 37 walks allowed in 64 2/3 innings. He credits an improved mindset for his growth in his control. He played a vital role in Texas A&M’s run through the NCAA Tournament, including at the College World Series, where he pitched in three games and allowed two runs in 7 1/3 innings.
“It was the best years of my life,” Cortez said. “I met some of my best friends, went to the College World Series twice, been a part of things that A&M has never been a part of in its history as a program and played in a national championship game. I’m glad I went to college and met new people and did a lot of things that a lot of people do not get the opportunity to do at a premier program. I’m just super happy that I was here for three years.”
Read more in-depth stories on top 2024 MLB draft prospects at Baseball Prospect Journal.
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for nine years. He has interviewed 518 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
