CARLOS CORTES NEW YORK METS #21
Carlos Cortes | Rank: 21 (Preseason: 21)
Team: St. Lucie Mets (A Adv)ETA: 2021Position: 2BAge: 22 DOB: 06/30/1997Bats: L Throws: SHeight: 5′ 7″ Weight: 197 lb.Drafted: 2018, 3rd (83) – NYM
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
Cortes was one of the better hitters in his Draft class as a Florida prep star in 2016, but concerns about his size and his lack of an obvious defensive home, on top of his strong commitment to South Carolina, caused him to fall to the Mets in the 20th round. The Mets took him in the third round two years later as a Draft-eligible sophomore, after Cortes had hit 27 home runs with a .378 OBP in two seasons with the Gamecocks, and signed him for a little more than $1 million.
Few, if any, scouts, question Cortes’ ability to hit. He has an innate knack for barreling the ball up from the left side and a long track record of doing it against quality competition. Cortes is listed at 5-foot-7, but he has above-average raw power and gets to it in games because his barrel control is exceptional. His frame is a bit thick, however, and Cortes has below-average speed.
After manning left field in college, Cortes spent his professional debut at second base, showing fringy range but solid hands and instincts, as well as adequate arm strength. The Mets think he can become a passable defender there — at least good enough so any defensive shortcomings don’t detract from his power-over-hit, bat-first profile.
| 2019 |
|---|
| FSL |
| Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | K | SB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STL (A+) | 101 | 365 | 50 | 90 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 52 | 38 | 63 | 5 | .247 | .322 | .375 | .697 |
| Minors | 101 | 365 | 50 | 90 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 52 | 38 | 63 | 5 | .247 | .322 | .375 | .697 |
Source: mlb.com
