The Athletic’s latest rankings place Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes in a rather unimpressive category. Unlike the top-tier groups—The Inner Circle, Aces, and those who might become aces—Cortes falls into the fifth tier, described as “just a guy” and encompassing “everyone else” in their evaluation.
Despite this assessment, Cortes has made a remarkable impact. His performance in 2021 was not a one-off; he secured an All-Star selection last summer and contributed to a 99-win Yankees team in October. Evaluators have praised his competitive spirit and the effectiveness of his 92-mph fastball.
Recently, Cortes addressed ongoing skepticism about his consistency with NJ Advance Media. He acknowledged the question surrounding his ability to replicate last year’s success. “The question now is, ‘Can you do it again?’” Cortes reflected. “Even if I succeed this year, the query will shift to whether I can maintain it for a third time. There will always be that doubt.”
Cortes, who posted a 12-4 record with a 2.44 ERA over 28 starts last season, received affirmation from fellow players. “I felt a serious boost when I was selected for the All-Star Game,” he shared. “Teammates like Jose Ramirez and Rafael Devers commented on my fastball, saying they couldn’t figure it out. That feedback made me feel validated.”
He added that this recognition from both his All-Star peers and Yankees teammates fueled his motivation. “I didn’t fully appreciate my performance until then,” Cortes admitted. “Hearing that from others pushed me to strive for an excellent second half of the season, ensuring I didn’t become complacent.”