With the MLB Draft just having wrapped up, we will see if the Mets are able to get their guy signed and make them a part of their organization. If they don’t, there’s always the chance the Mets can draft that player later and reap the rewards of that player now being a more polished baseball player ready to make more of an immediate impact on the organization.
As many are aware, this is exactly what is happening with Anthony Kay. While not as high profiled as Kay, it is exactly what is transpiring with Carlos Cortes.
The Mets initially drafted Cortes in the 20th round of the 2016 draft. Rather than sign with the team, Cortes opted to attend the University of South Carolina instead of signing with the Mets. It would be an uneven collegiate career for Cortes. While the stats were decent, he had some slumps, and really, he was not the hitter many had expected him to be. However, he would go on a tear right before the draft giving an indication that he may be on his way to being that hitter many thought he could be back in 2016.
With that, the Mets would draft Cortes with their third round pick last year, and they would give him an overslot bonus to entice him to go pro instead of returning to school. So far, the Mets have to like the results.
The biggest thing the Mets have seen from Cortes was somewhat unexpected power. Last year, Cortes might have only slugged .382, but he did show the potential with a couple of long home runs. With respect to the homers, it should be noted the New York-Penn League and MCU Park really suppress power, and it affects left-handed batters all the more.
¡Adios pelota! Carlos Cortes (@loscortes_14 ) with a solo blast into the right field bleachers and the @BKLYNJefes lead 1-0 after four. #SomosJefes. #VamosJefes. pic.twitter.com/S5Sp80Y3jS
— Brooklyn Cyclones (@BKCyclones) August 10, 2018
Recently, we are again seeing Cortes hit for power in another pitcher’s league known for keeping down power numbers. In May, Cortes hit .303/.355/.505 with seven doubles, two triples, three homers, and 17 RBI. Based upon what we have seen through the first week of June, it appears Cortes was merely scratching the surface.
The power has really come on of late for Cortes. He currently has a three game hitting streak, and in each of those games he has recorded an extra base hit. In the last two games, Cortes has hit a homer. With this stretch, he’s now second among Florida State League second baseman in homers, sluggling, and OPS. His six homers is good for tenth in the league. With the way he is hitting, he may move up those and other offensive rankings in short order. That is if he isn’t promoted first.
With every Cortes extra base hit, he increasingly becomes more of an interesting prospect. If he can stay at second base, all the better. If he hits with this much power, it’s possible he could take the second baseman’s mitt off his left hand and put an outfielder’s glove on his right hand and go to left field. That’s right, in addition to being a middle infielder with a promising bat and power potential, Cortes is ambidextrous.
All in all, Cortes is one of the more interesting prospects in the Mets farm system. Right now, his best tool is his hitting ability. As we have seen through the years, if you can hit, and Cortes is showing he can, they will find a position for you. If he keeps this up, we may see him pull off the position player version of what Pat Venditte has done at the Major League level.
If nothing else, that would be fun to see, almost as much fun as watching a prospect the Mets long coveted developing into the player they foresaw him to be.
