The MiLB.com transactions record shows that Carlos Cortes, a former New York Mets prospect, has joined the A’s. He has not yet made his Major League debut after spending portions of the last three seasons in Triple-A after being initially selected by the Mets in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft.
The 27-year-old Cortes inked a minor-league contract with the Athletics after choosing free agency at the start of the month. Fun fact: he was selected by the Mets in the 20th round of the 2016 draft, but he chose to spend two seasons at the University of South Carolina.Cortes is a corner outfielder, listed at 5-foot-7, 197 pounds. In 83 games this past season, the lefty bat hit .246 with a .330 OBP, 16 homers, 52 RBI, and three steals in four tries.
In 2021, he was ranked as the Mets’ No. 19 prospect by MLB Pipeline, and is now one of three players from that top-30 that are with the A’s, joining J.T. Ginn (Chris Bassitt trade) and Michel Otañez. Both Ginn and Otañez figure to be part of the A’s plans in 2025.
FanGraphs graded his defense as a 20/30 on the 20-80 scouting scale, which is not a great sign and likely why he has been placed in the outfield, particularly corner outfield, in recent seasons. He is also ambidextrous, with his left arm being a little stronger than his right, and he switches which arm he throws with based on which position he’s playing.
The A’s decision to provide contracts to Miguel Andujar and Seth Brown for 2025 has left Cortes with less playing time, so the real concern for him is where he’ll fit into the team. Given that so many players will be vying for playing time in left field, we recently looked at what Brown’s role might be in the next season.
