Nicholas Fortes Bio
Nicholas Fortes is an American professional baseball catcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Miami Marlins. Fortes played college baseball for the Ole Miss Rebels and was selected by the Marlins in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Marlins.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Fortes was born on November 11, 1996, in DeLand, Florida, USA. He attended DeLand High School, where he began to develop his skills in baseball. After high school, Fortes continued his education and baseball career at the University of Mississippi, where he played for the Ole Miss Rebels. During his junior season, he had an impressive batting average of .319, hitting 11 home runs and driving in 49 runs.
Path to Baseball
After going undrafted out of high school, Fortes made the decision to play college baseball, which proved to be a pivotal step in his career. He participated in collegiate summer baseball for the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders in the Northwoods League in 2017. This experience helped him gain valuable exposure and experience, eventually becoming the first Dock Spider alumnus to reach the major leagues. His performance at Ole Miss caught the attention of scouts, leading to his selection by the Miami Marlins in the 2018 MLB draft.
Nicholas Fortes Career
Early Career (2018-2021)
Nicholas Fortes began his professional career in 2018, splitting his time between the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Marlins, the Batavia Muckdogs, and the Greensboro Grasshoppers. In his first season, he hit a combined .226 with no home runs and 11 runs batted in. He continued to develop in the minor leagues, spending the 2019 season with the Jupiter Hammerheads, where he hit .217 with three home runs and 29 runs batted in. The 2020 season was challenging for Fortes, as he did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, he split the minor league season between the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, finishing with a combined batting average of .245 and seven home runs.
Breakthrough (2021-2025)
Fortes’ breakthrough moment came on September 17, 2021, when his contract was selected to the 40-man and active rosters of the Miami Marlins. He made his MLB debut the following day, showcasing his potential as a catcher. In his debut season, he managed to hit four home runs and drive in seven runs over 14 games. The following year, on June 26, 2022, he hit a walk-off home run against the New York Mets, further solidifying his role on the team. In 2023, Fortes became the primary catcher for the Marlins, playing in 108 games and hitting .204 with six home runs. He retained his starting position in 2024, appearing in 110 games and hitting .227 with four home runs. In 2025, Fortes was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, where he made 38 appearances, hitting .213 with three home runs.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Nicholas Fortes has established himself as a reliable catcher in Major League Baseball. His notable achievements include his MLB debut in 2021 and significant contributions to the Miami Marlins during his tenure.
Nicholas Fortes Award Nominations
Nicholas Fortes has not received any major award nominations during his career thus far.
Nicholas Fortes Awards Won
Nicholas Fortes has not won any major awards during his career thus far.
Nicholas Fortes Family
Nicholas Fortes is married to Jessica. The couple tied the knot in November 2020.
Personal Life
Nicholas Fortes maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing primarily on his baseball career. He and his wife Jessica enjoy their life together, supporting each other through the challenges of professional sports.