How a failed defection and a visa lottery shaped a Major League career
In short: Before becoming MLB All-Star Nestor Cortes, his family faced a prison sentence and a desperate move from Cuba. Now known as "Nasty Nestor," the pitcher has navigated everything from devastating grand slams to career-altering injuries, using deceptive wind-ups to outsmart the world's best hitters.
Nestor Cortes' journey to the Major Leagues is rooted in a dramatic family history. Born in Surgidero de Batabanó, Cuba, his life changed when he was seven months old after his father, Nestor Cortes Sr., won a visa lottery. This relocation to Hialeah, Florida, followed a difficult period in 1992 when his father was sentenced to one year in prison following a failed attempt to defect from Cuba. His mother, Yuslaidy, worked as a manicurist while his father drove a forklift. This move to the United States occurred after his father's legal troubles in 1992.
On the mound, Cortes has earned the nickname "Nasty Nestor" due to his unique pitching style and signature mustache. He is known for using deceptive mechanics, such as varying his step timing or pausing mid-wind-up, to disrupt hitters. His repertoire includes a four-seam fastball averaging roughly 91 mph and a curveball that can drop as low as 47 mph.
His professional trajectory has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. After being drafted by the Yankees in the 36th round in 2013, he experienced the highs of an MLB All-Star selection in 2022 and the lows of giving up a walk-off grand slam in the 2024 World Series. His career has been marked by several stints with the Yankees, alongside time with the Orioles, Mariners, Brewers, Padres, and Phillies. His career has seen him move through various organisations, including stints with the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners. He has also played for the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, and Philadelphia Phillies.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Nestor Cortes
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