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The New York Yankees found a hidden gem in Nestor Cortes in 2021.
The left-hander has been one of the Yankees’ most consistent pitchers since his arrival in New York and has proven to be a key frontline starter for the team.
The 28-year-old is off to a fantastic start in 2023, having won three of his first four starts, not recording a loss, and posting an ERA of 3.09 over 23.1 innings of work.
He has also struck out 22 batters this season and owns a WHIP of 1.03.
Cortes made his first start as a member of the Yankees on May 30, 2021.
Since then, he owns a 2.65 ERA and finds himself on an elite list of pitchers.
Since May 30, 2021, when Nestor Cortes made his first appearance that season for the Yankees, the American League ERA leaders (min. 25 starts) are as follows: Justin Verlander (1.75), Jeffrey Springs (2.40), Shohei Ohtani (2.56), Nestor Cortes (2.65). pic.twitter.com/3ESRAvPPsE
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) April 21, 2023
Cortes has the fourth-best ERA in the American League since that day.
First on the list is New York Mets right-hander Justin Verlander, who was with the Houston Astros at the time.
Since that period, he owns a 1.75 ERA.
Tampa Bay Rays lefty Jeffrey Springs is second on the list.
He owns a 2.40 ERA since Cortes made his first start of the 2021 season.
Third on the list is none other than Los Angeles Angels two-way star and former American League MVP Shohei Ohtani.
Since that day, the two-way superstar owns a 2.56 ERA.
Cortes finds himself on an elite list of American League pitchers and is still performing quite well for the Yankees.
For his career, the 28-year-old left-hander owns a 3.56 ERA and has won a total of 22 games in 96 appearances.
The Yankees will hope for more of that this season.
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