Nicholas Fortes is an American professional baseball catcher who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball. Born on November 11, 1996, in DeLand, Florida, Fortes developed his skills as a multi-sport athlete before becoming one of the few players to advance from the Northwoods League directly to MLB. He was selected by the Miami Marlins in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB Draft and made his major league debut with the team in September 2021. After four seasons with the Marlins, Fortes was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in July 2025, where he continues his professional career.
Nicholas Fortes Bio
Nicholas Fortes has established himself as a durable catching option in Major League Baseball. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to handle premium pitching staff responsibilities while contributing at the plate. His professional journey reflects steady development through the minor leagues and the adaptability required to succeed at the highest level of the sport.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Fortes grew up in DeLand, Florida, where he attended DeLand High School. He played baseball at the high school level but went undrafted upon graduation, which led him to pursue his collegiate career instead of signing with a professional organization directly out of high school.
Fortes chose to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Mississippi, where he played baseball for the Ole Miss Rebels. His junior season proved to be his most productive at the collegiate level, as he posted a .319 batting average with an on-base percentage of .435 and a slugging percentage of .519, complementing these numbers with 11 home runs and 49 runs batted in. His performance positioned him as a draftable prospect for the 2018 MLB Draft.
During the summer between his sophomore and junior college seasons, Fortes played collegiate summer baseball for the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders of the Northwoods League in 2017. His time in that league proved significant, as he became the first Dock Spider alumnus to eventually reach Major League Baseball.
Path to Professional Baseball
Fortes entered the 2018 MLB Draft with solid collegiate credentials and was selected by the Miami Marlins in the fourth round with the 117th overall pick. His selection represented the beginning of his professional baseball career, though he would need to prove himself through multiple levels of the minor league system.
He signed with the Marlins organization and began his professional career in 2018, splitting the season between three minor league affiliates. Fortes played for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Marlins, the Batavia Muckdogs, and the Greensboro Grasshoppers, combining to hit .226 with a .346 on-base percentage and .258 slugging percentage across those assignments. The following season in 2019, he advanced to the Single-A Jupiter Hammerheads, where he continued developing his defensive skills behind the plate while improving his offensive output.
Nicholas Fortes Career
Minor League Development (2018–2021)
Fortes steadily progressed through the Marlins minor league system over his first four professional seasons. After his initial assignment in 2018 and full season in 2019, the 2020 campaign was lost due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing him from game action that year.
He returned to game action in 2021, splitting the season between the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. His combined performance across those two levels showed improvement, as he hit .245 with a .332 on-base percentage and .367 slugging percentage, adding seven home runs and 44 runs batted in. His strong showing earned him a promotion to the major league roster.
Miami Marlins Breakthrough (2021–2025)
On September 17, 2021, the Marlins selected Fortes contract to their 40-man roster, officially adding him to the major league organization. He made his MLB debut the following day, September 18, 2021, marking the realization of his goal to reach the highest level of professional baseball. Fortes appeared in 14 games during his debut season, finishing with four home runs and seven runs batted in.
The 2022 season represented Fortes establishing himself as a regular contributor for the Marlins. On June 26, 2022, he delivered one of the defining moments of his career when he hit a walk-off home run against Adam Ottavino of the New York Mets, securing a 3–2 victory for Miami. He went on to appear in 72 games that season, batting .230 with a .304 on-base percentage and .392 slugging percentage, adding nine home runs, 24 runs batted in, and five stolen bases.
Fortes became Miami primary catcher for the 2023 season, taking on the everyday catching duties. He played in 108 games, demonstrating his durability behind the plate while working with the Marlins pitching staff. He batted .204 with a .263 on-base percentage and .299 slugging percentage, contributing six home runs and 26 runs batted in. He retained the starting catcher role into the 2024 campaign, appearing in 110 games and posting a .227 batting average with a .259 on-base percentage and .318 slugging percentage, adding four home runs and 29 runs batted in.
During the 2025 season with the Marlins, Fortes shared catching duties with Agustín Ramírez. In 59 games before his departure, he hit .240 with a .288 on-base percentage and .349 slugging percentage, contributing two home runs and 10 runs batted in.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2025–Present)
On July 28, 2025, Fortes career trajectory shifted when the Marlins traded him to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league outfielder Matthew Etzel. The trade represented a new chapter in his professional career, moving him to a franchise with a strong tradition of player development and postseason contention.
Fortes joined the Rays and appeared in 38 games during the remainder of the 2025 season. He adapted to his new organization by posting a .213 batting average with a .307 on-base percentage and .348 slugging percentage, contributing three home runs and 11 runs batted in while recording one stolen base. His transition to the American League provided new challenges, including facing designated hitters and different offensive philosophies.
Defensive Profile and Catching Abilities
Fortes has developed into a reliable defender behind the plate throughout his professional career. His durability as a catcher has allowed him to handle significant game loads, particularly during his tenure with the Marlins when he served as the primary backstop. He has worked with diverse pitching staffs, adapting his game-calling approach to different pitcher styles and preferences. His ability to manage the running game and frame pitches has contributed to his value as a defensive catcher.
Notable Career Moments
The walk-off home run against the New York Mets on June 26, 2022, stands as one of Fortes most memorable career moments, showcasing his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. Through June 25, 2026, Fortes career MLB statistics include a .228 batting average, 29 home runs, and 122 runs batted in across his major league appearances.
Nicholas Fortes Career Statistics
Fortes has accumulated professional statistics across both the minor leagues and Major League Baseball throughout his career since being drafted in 2018. His MLB career spans his time with both the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays organizations.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Through the 2026 season, Fortes has established himself as a legitimate MLB catcher with sustained playing time at the highest level. His 2022 season with the Marlins proved particularly productive, featuring his signature walk-off home run against the Mets and nine home runs across 72 games. He followed that with consecutive seasons as Miamis primary catcher in 2023 and 2024, demonstrating his ability to handle the demanding everyday catching role.
Minor League Development
Prior to his MLB debut, Fortes progressed through four levels of the minor leagues, from rookie ball through Triple-A. His most productive minor league season came in 2021 with Pensacola and Jacksonville, where he combined to hit .245 with seven home runs and 44 RBI before his promotion to the majors. His draft year in 2018 saw him gain experience across three different affiliates as he began his professional transition.
Nicholas Fortes Family
Family Background
Fortes grew up in DeLand, Florida, as the son of parents who supported his athletic pursuits from an early age. His pathway through DeLand High School to the University of Mississippi and ultimately professional baseball reflects a family background built on educational and athletic values.
Personal Life
Fortes married his wife Jessica in November 2020. The couple later divorced in late 2022. Fortes remarried in November 2025, beginning a new chapter in his personal life alongside his professional baseball career. He continues to maintain connections to his Florida roots while pursuing his career in professional baseball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a transitional year for Nicholas Fortes. He began the year with the Miami Marlins, where he split time behind the plate with Agustín Ramírez. His performance through his departure from the Marlins included a .240 batting average with moderate power numbers, reflecting a role-focused approach as a backup catcher in Miamis rotation.
The mid-season trade to the Tampa Bay Rays on July 28, 2025, marked a significant career shift. Fortes joined a Rays organization known for its analytical approach and competitive culture. His 38 appearances with Tampa Bay down the stretch allowed him to integrate into the team and establish working relationships with Rays pitchers while adapting to a new league environment.
The outlook for Fortes with the Rays involves establishing himself as a consistent contributor behind the plate while continuing to develop his offensive game. His durability and experience from previous seasons provide value to a team that has historically relied on catching depth and development. His ability to handle premium pitching responsibilities while contributing at the plate will determine his role within the organization moving forward.