Carlos Andres Cortes Bio
Carlos Andres Cortes is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Athletics of Major League Baseball. He made his MLB debut in 2025, eight years after being selected by the New York Mets in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft. Cortes has established himself as one of the few switch throwers in Major League Baseball history, a rare skill that sets him apart in professional baseball. His journey through the minor leagues, which spanned seven seasons, culminated in his call-up to the majors where he has quickly demonstrated his offensive capabilities and defensive versatility.
Early Life and Background
Carlos Andres Cortes was born on June 30, 1997, in Winter Park, Florida. He attended Lake Howell High School in Florida, where he developed his baseball skills during his high school years. His exceptional talent on the diamond led to early recognition from professional scouts, setting the stage for his future baseball career.
After high school, Cortes continued his baseball journey at the University of South Carolina, joining the Gamecocks program for two seasons in 2017 and 2018. During his sophomore season in 2018, he posted impressive numbers, hitting .265 with 15 home runs and 44 runs batted in. His performance earned him recognition as the 177th best prospect in the upcoming MLB Draft according to Baseball America.
Path to Professional Baseball
Before joining the University of South Carolina, Cortes was initially drafted by the New York Mets in the 20th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. He chose not to sign at that time and instead continued his development at the collegiate level. His decision to hone his skills at South Carolina proved valuable as he significantly improved his draft stock over the following two years.
During the summer of 2017, Cortes played collegiate summer baseball in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. This experience against top college players further prepared him for professional competition. By the time the 2018 MLB Draft arrived, Cortes had transformed himself into a third-round prospect, demonstrating his growth as both a hitter and a defender.
Carlos Andres Cortes Career
New York Mets Organization (2018–2024)
The New York Mets selected Cortes in the third round with the 83rd overall selection of the 2018 MLB Draft. He signed with the organization on June 25, 2018, receiving a reported $1 million signing bonus. He made his professional debut shortly thereafter with the Low-A Brooklyn Cyclones, where he posted a solid .264 batting average with a .338 on-base percentage and .382 slugging percentage, adding four home runs and 24 RBI in his inaugural professional season.
The following year, Cortes advanced to High-A St. Lucie Mets, where he appeared in 127 games. HeSlash ed .255/.336/.397 with 11 home runs, 68 RBI, and 26 doubles, demonstrating his ability to consistently drive in runs at the High-A level. The 2020 season was lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which canceled the entire minor league season, but Cortes stayed prepared and played in the Australian Baseball League for the Sydney Blue Sox during the winter months to maintain his competitive edge.
Cortes continued his climb through the Mets farm system in 2021 with the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies. He appeared in 79 games and batted .257/.332/.487 with 14 home runs and 57 RBI, showing power potential that scouts had identified during his draft process. He split the 2022 season between Binghamton and the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, combining for 123 appearances with a .223 batting average, 12 home runs, and 55 RBI across both levels.
At the Triple-A level with Syracuse during 2023, Cortes appeared in 118 games and hit .241/.355/.428 with 15 home runs and 54 RBI. He returned to Syracuse for the 2024 season, playing 83 games and posting a .246 batting average with a .330 on-base percentage and .456 slugging percentage. He added 16 home runs, 52 RBI, and three stolen bases before electing free agency in November 2024, ending his seven-year tenure with the Mets organization.
Oakland Athletics Era (2025–Present)
On November 18, 2024, Cortes signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics, joining a franchise undergoing a significant transition period. The Athletics added him to their 40-man roster on July 15, 2025, and optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators before his eventual call-up. On July 23, 2025, Cortes made his MLB debut with the Athletics, realizing his dream of reaching the majors after seven seasons in the minor leagues.
His second career game proved memorable as he collected his first MLB RBI on a sacrifice fly against the Houston Astros. Defensively, he threw out a runner at second base from far right field, displaying the strong arm that would become a trademark of his game. The following day, he recorded his first MLB hit with a single in the bottom of the fourth inning. On September 6, 2025, Cortes hit his first career home run, driving the ball over the fence against Scott Kingery of the Los Angeles Angels.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cortes stands out in professional baseball as one of the few switch throwers at the major league level, allowing him to bat from both sides of the plate and adjust his approach based on the pitcher and game situation. His power-hitting ability from both sides of the plate provides lineup flexibility for the Athletics. He has demonstrated consistent run-production throughout his minor league career, regularly posting double-digit home run seasons while maintaining respectable batting averages and on-base percentages.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 2026 season saw Cortes earn American League Player of the Week honors on April 27, a recognition that highlighted his outstanding offensive performance. During that week, he batted .542 with six extra-base hits over six games, demonstrating the kind of sustained excellence that can define a player’s career trajectory. His first career home run in September 2025 marked a significant personal milestone in his development as a major league contributor.
Carlos Andres Cortes Career Statistics
Through June 19, 2026, Cortes has established himself as a productive major league hitter in his inaugural seasons with the Athletics. His statistical profile reflects the offensive capabilities that characterized his minor league career, combining power with the ability to drive in runs consistently.
Major League Baseball Highlights
In his MLB career through mid-June 2026, Cortes has appeared in 68 games with the Athletics. He has compiled a .288 batting average, demonstrating his ability to hit for average at the highest level of professional baseball. He has also contributed 10 home runs and 36 runs batted in, showing the run-production skills that he developed during his extensive minor league tenure. His offensive production has helped anchor the Athletics lineup as the team continues its rebuilding efforts.
Minor League Career Highlights
Before reaching the majors, Cortes spent seven seasons in the minor leagues within the Mets organization, amassing impressive cumulative statistics across multiple levels. He hit double-digit home runs in every season where he played a full schedule, including campaigns of 11, 14, 12, 15, and 16 homers. His career minor league numbers include over 100 extra-base hits and more than 350 runs batted in across various levels from Low-A to Triple-A.
| Competition Level | Games | Batting Average | Home Runs | Runs Batted In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor League (Career) | 530+ | .245 | 78 | 357 |
| MLB (through June 2026) | 68 | .288 | 10 | 36 |
International Play
World Baseball Classic
Cortes represented Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, joining the national team during the prestigious international tournament. He appeared in five games during the competition, batting .278 with one run batted in. His selection for the Puerto Rico national team demonstrated his standing as one of the emerging talents in professional baseball and provided him with valuable experience competing against the world’s best players outside of Major League Baseball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Cortes’s rookie campaign with the Athletics following his mid-season call-up in July. After years of development through the minor leagues, he made an immediate impact upon joining the major league roster. His debut season featured memorable moments including his first career hit, his first RBI, and his first home run, each representing significant milestones in his professional career.
Throughout the second half of the 2025 season, Cortes carved out a regular role in the Athletics outfield, combining defensive versatility with consistent offensive production. His ability to contribute from both sides of the plate gave the team’s coaching staff flexibility in constructing lineups and matchups. The experience gained during those initial months in the majors proved invaluable for his development as he prepared for his first full major league season in 2026.
Looking ahead, Cortes entered 2026 with a full spring training under his belt and the confidence that comes from initial major league success. His performance in April 2026, which earned him American League Player of the Week honors, suggested that he was building on his rookie season foundation and establishing himself as a core contributor for the Athletics’ future. The combination of his switch-throwing ability, power potential, and defensive range positions him as an important piece for a franchise that has committed to developing young talent.