Carlos Cortes Bio
Carlos Andres Cortes (born June 30, 1997) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2025 after several seasons moving through the minor leagues. Cortes is recognized as one of the few switch throwers in MLB history, an unusual skill that allows him to throw with both arms from the outfield. His journey from a Florida high school standout to a Major League roster reflects years of steady development and a strong college foundation.
Early Life and Background
Carlos Andres Cortes was born on June 30, 1997, in Winter Park, Florida. He grew up in central Florida and attended Lake Howell High School, where he played baseball and drew early attention from professional scouts. His time at Lake Howell helped shape his offensive approach and outfield fundamentals, both of which would later define his professional profile.
Coming out of high school, Cortes was selected by the New York Mets in the 20th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, but he chose not to sign, opting instead to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level. That decision set the stage for a stronger draft position just two years later. He attended the University of South Carolina, where he played college baseball for the Gamecocks during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. In the summer of 2017, he expanded his experience by playing collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.
Path to Baseball
At the University of South Carolina, Cortes developed into a polished hitter under the Gamecocks program. During his sophomore season in 2018, he hit .265 with 15 home runs and 44 runs batted in, numbers that pushed him up draft boards nationally. Baseball America ranked him as the 177th best prospect entering that year’s draft, signaling that his combination of power and on-base skills was ready for the professional level.
That strong college performance led to a much higher draft selection in 2018, when the New York Mets took him in the third round. The improved pedigree, combined with his Cape Cod League experience and SEC competition, gave Cortes a strong foundation for the rigors of professional baseball. His path from Winter Park to Columbia to the professional ranks reflected a careful and patient development plan.
Carlos Cortes Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
The New York Mets selected Cortes in the third round, with the 83rd overall pick, of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Mets on June 25, 2018, for a reported $1 million signing bonus. Cortes made his professional debut that same year with the Low-A Brooklyn Cyclones, where he hit to a .264/.338/.382 slash line with four home runs and 24 runs batted in.
He spent the 2019 season with the High-A St. Lucie Mets, where he appeared in 127 games and slashed .255/.336/.397 with 11 home runs, 68 runs batted in, and 26 doubles. Cortes did not appear in any official games in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. During that winter, he played for the Sydney Blue Sox of the Australian Baseball League to keep his skills sharp.
Minor League Progression (2021–2024)
Cortes spent the 2021 season with the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies, batting .257/.332/.487 with 14 home runs and 57 runs batted in over 79 games. The following year, in 2022, he split his time between Binghamton and the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, combining for 123 appearances with a .223/.295/.369 slash line, 12 home runs, and 55 runs batted in. He returned to Syracuse for a full season in 2023, batting .241/.355/.428 with 15 home runs and 54 runs batted in across 118 games.
In 2024, Cortes again played for Syracuse, appearing in 83 games and hitting .246/.330/.456 with 16 home runs, 52 runs batted in, and three stolen bases. After the season, on November 4, 2024, he elected free agency, opening the door to a new organization.
Athletics Era (2024–Present)
On November 18, 2024, Cortes signed a minor league contract with the Athletics, beginning a new chapter in his career. The Athletics added Cortes to their 40-man roster on July 15, 2025, and immediately optioned him back to the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators. He made his Major League debut on July 23, 2025, and the next day, against the Houston Astros, he recorded his first Major League run batted in on a sacrifice fly during his second career at-bat.
In the same game, Cortes threw out a runner at second base from far right field and then singled for his first Major League hit in the top of the fourth inning. On September 6, 2025, he hit his first career home run off Scott Kingery of the Los Angeles Angels. His momentum carried into 2026, and on April 27, 2026, Cortes was named American League Player of the Week after batting .542 with six extra-base hits across six games. His batting average stood at .288 with 10 home runs and 36 runs batted in through June 19, 2026, showcasing the offensive consistency he had built over years of minor league work.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although the term comes from motorsports, Cortes’s professional identity is built on a similarly versatile profile: a switch thrower with the ability to deliver accurate throws from either arm in the outfield. He combines line-drive hitting with steadily improving power, and his switch-throwing ability adds a rare defensive dimension that few outfielders in MLB history have possessed.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Cortes’s career include his first Major League hit and run batted in on July 24, 2025, his first home run on September 6, 2025, and his American League Player of the Week award on April 27, 2026. His role with the Puerto Rico national team at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, where he batted .278 with one run batted in across five games, added an international stage to his growing resume.
Carlos Cortes Career Wins
Carlos Andres Cortes’s career achievements are anchored in consistent offensive production at every minor league level, a steady climb through three Mets affiliates, and a successful transition to the Athletics. His American League Player of the Week honor in April 2026 stands as the clearest Major League recognition of his work so far.
Minor League Highlights
Cortes’s strongest minor league season came in 2019 with St. Lucie, when he recorded 11 home runs and 68 runs batted in across 127 games. He added 14 home runs at Double-A Binghamton in 2021 and posted 16 home runs at Triple-A Syracuse in 2024, his final Mets organization season. His first Major League home run came on September 6, 2025, off Scott Kingery of the Los Angeles Angels.
Carlos Cortes Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Carlos Andres Cortes’s immediate family, parents, and siblings is limited, and verified details are not widely available. His baseball upbringing in the Winter Park area of central Florida shaped his early development.
Personal Life
Carlos Andres Cortes focuses much of his public presence on his professional career with the Athletics and his representation of Puerto Rico in international competition. He maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his Major League journey. Further verified personal-life details are not currently available.
2025 Season Performance
Cortes’s 2025 season was defined by a long-awaited Major League debut after seven years in the minor leagues. He signed a minor league deal with the Athletics in November 2024 and broke into the big leagues on July 23, 2025. His first week in the Majors included his first run batted in, his first hit, and a defensive highlight that showcased his rare switch-throwing ability.
By the end of 2025, he had already launched his first Major League home run, signaling that his power translated against top-tier pitching. The momentum from that debut season positioned him as a young outfielder worth watching in Oakland’s outfield picture.
