Chris Cortez is making remarkable progress in his junior season

Chris Cortez showed significant development over the course of his junior season, culminating in an impressive performance in Texas A&M’s runner-up finish in the College World Series.

The talented right-handed pitcher began the season as a starting pitcher before moving into a multi-inning reliever role, thriving in the bullpen thanks to his combination of power sinkers and sliders.

Cortez’s development and success over the past six months have catapulted him up the MLB draft lists, with scouts now considering him a second- or third-round pick in this year’s draft, which begins Sunday.

“I’m super grateful,” Cortez said. “There are no real words to describe it. It’s been a dream for me. I’m grateful to be in the position I’m in for the draft.”

Cortez is a 6’1″, 215-pound right-handed pitcher who throws sinkers, sweepers, cutters and changeups from the three-quarter arm stance. He uses a repeatable, effortless and efficient delivery.

An above-average sinker and slider are the highlights of his pitch mix. Cortez switched to the sinker in the months before his junior season after throwing a four-seam fastball his entire career. Despite his speed, Cortez’s fastball was a very hittable pitch. The switch to the sinker allowed him to throw a pitch over 90 mph with plenty of sinking action that batters have a hard time hitting in the air.

Cortez’s slider is very mobile and a killer swing-and-miss pitch. He also combines his cutter and changeup. Right now, Cortez is showing a strong two-pitch mix. He hopes to play as a starting pitcher in professional baseball, but is also open to working as a high leverage reliever. To make it at the next level, he needs to develop consistent and reliable third pitching.

“I’m a competitor,” Cortez said. “You know what you expect from me. When I go out there, I’m going to do everything I can to help the team win. I just fight.”

Cortez had a unique career at Texas A&M, developing into a talented and reliable pitcher. In his freshman season, he flashed his potential as a reliever, posting a 4.91 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 13 walks allowed in 44 innings. Last season, he struggled with his control, resulting in a 7.34 ERA with 39 strikeouts and 40 walks allowed in 41 2/3 innings.

This spring, Cortez had a 2.78 ERA with 102 strikeouts and 37 walks allowed in 64 2/3 innings. He attributes his improved control to an improved attitude. He played a key role in Texas A&M’s run through the NCAA tournament, including the College World Series, where he pitched in three games and allowed two runs in 7 1/3 innings.

“It was the best years of my life,” Cortez said. “I met some of my best friends, went to the College World Series twice, played in things that A&M has never played in in its history as a program and played in a national championship game. I’m glad I went to college, met new people and did a lot of things that a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to do at a top-tier program. I’m just super happy I was here for three years.”

Read more in-depth stories about the top prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft in the Baseball Prospect Journal.

Dan Zielinski III has been reporting on the MLB Draft for nine years. He has interviewed 518 of the top draft candidates during that time period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Several publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have cited his work while appeared on Radio Stations as an “MLB Draft Expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.