Yankees star Nestor Cortes achieves his long-cherished dream of making it into MLB Network's elite list of top players

New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes has found a place in MLB Network's annual Top 100 Players Right Now list for the year 2023. Cortes broke into the list this year and was ranked 91.

The Yankees found a new hero in Cortes, who had a breakthrough season in his third stint with the club. His variations made him a difficult customer for the league's hitters, as he played a major role in the Yankees' 99-win season.

I remember watching this channel[MLB Network] in high school and just thinking about the #Top100RightNow players that were listed on this channel. And for me to be part of it now is kind of a dream come true and so surreal for me to even think about it."

On being asked about his strategy and preparation for the last season, Cortes said:

"I have had good minor league numbers across the board and I did not know how to transition it to the big leagues. But with the help of some guys who told me how to adjust my fast ball and learn how to do my spin direction and be consistent with it, I feel those two things were the key point to having the success I had last year."

He added:

"Going into this off season, I knew that I wanted to stay in the same spot and maybe have my change-up work a little better. But other than that, I feel I am in a really good place."

He also credited the Seattle Mariners for their role in his development.

"In 2020, when I was with Seattle, I had just gotten DFA'd by the Yankees. They picked me and said 'Hey, we want you to be who you are. We don't wanna change who you are, we don't wanna reinvent the wheel."

He thanked the Yankees management for giving him the confidence to stick with the things that had given him a lot of success previously.

"They told me 'Hey, why aren't you doing the stutter again...why aren't you quickpitching?'. I think Matt Blake and the whole pitching staff and everybody down there in the minor leagues got me to that point again. So, it just helped me get that confidence."

Nestor Cortes will represent Team USA in the upcoming WBC 2023.

Nestor Cortes 2022 season

Nestor Cortes #65 of the New York Yankees throws out Myles Straw #7 of the Cleveland Guardians at first base during the fourth inning in game two of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 14, 2022 in New York, New York.

Nestor Cortes had a prolific 2022, which earned him an MLB All-Star selection as well as a place in MLB Network's Top 100 Players in the World Right Now.

He posted a 2.44 ERA in the regular season and went 12-4 in 28 regular season appearances, with an amazing 0.92 WHIP and 4.2 WAR.

The star pitcher recently avoided arbitration and penned a $2.3 million contract with the New York Yankees for 2023.