Here are today’s most notable signings from the first few rounds of the draft. Scouting reports and pre-draft rankings can be found courtesy of MLB.com, Fangraphs, Baseball America and ESPN’s Keith Law (the latter two available to subscribers only)…
- The Mets have agreed to a $1,038,000 bonus with third-rounder Carlos Cortes, per MLB.com’s Jim Callis (via Twitter). That handily tops the $705,300 allocation for the 83rd overall pick. The Fangraphs prospect team was far and away the highest on Cortes, rating him as the 82nd-best prospect on their list. Cortes is best known for being a switch-thrower. While that talent is of limited utility for an outfielder, he is considered a talented hitter. Despite some ups and downs over the years, Cortes has generally been productive at the plate for the University of South Carolina, though he’ll have to hit quite a bit as a pro since he’s expected to be limited to playing left field. According to the MLB.com draft tracker, the Mets have now secured contracts with all of their top ten picks.
As an OF, he may find himself in MLB by August at the rate the Mets are getting hurt…
We regret to inform that cortes has passed away of an elbow contusion. He should be considered day-to-day, although the Mets might start him at least tomorrow. However, considering recent events Cortes will likely be placed on the 10-Day DL by Friday.
Okay, not sure if this is a joke or troll but I actually got a good laugh out of this
“While that talent is of limited utility for an outfielder . . . “
Limited is too kind, Jeff. Can you think of a situation where his ability to switch-throw would be an asset?
This is another situation where I’m choosing style over super-precision. That said …
He suffers an injury that limits his ability to throw moreso than hit, and he can switch back? He’s charging a ball that is stopped or slowed and can fling off his glove, choosing to throw from the other hand? Ha.
Where are all these switch throwers coming from? Who teaches this? Did the last sun cycle scramble some players DNA? Who thought this was a good idea?
Is this a bored travel ball activity?
For short kids who are most likely destined to be short adults, going righty opens up more opportunities. Especially if you are already ambidextrous in other disciplines. Short lefties have only two options. They’re either going to end up on the mound or in the outfield.
As for Carlos, he learned righty out of necessity when he injured his left arm as a young kid.