Nestor Cortes – Milwaukee Brewers Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Nestor Cortes, better known as “Nasty Nestor” or “the Hialeah Kid,” has become one of the most interesting pitchers in baseball. The Cuban-American lefty grabs fans’ attention with his quirky pitching style and standout performances for the New York Yankees—and now, the Milwaukee Brewers.

Cortes’ financial situation has changed a lot lately, with his 2025 salary jumping to $7,600,000 after he signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. That’s a huge leap from his earlier days, when he made $727,500 with the Yankees. It really shows how much his value has gone up in Major League Baseball.

Thanks to his unusual delivery and growing reputation, Cortes has built an estimated net worth between $1-5 million. His rise from a 36th-round draft pick to big contracts is a classic story of a player who’s beaten the odds to become a respected major league pitcher.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Nestor Cortés started his baseball journey in Cuba, but his real development happened in Hialeah, Florida. That’s where he honed his pitching style and baseball instincts.

Background and Family

Born December 10, 1994, in Surgidero de Batabano, Cuba, Nestor Cortés has always embraced both his Cuban roots and his American upbringing. People still call him the “Hialeah Kid”. He moved to the U.S. young, and his family made their home in Hialeah, Florida.

His parents really supported his baseball dreams, often going out of their way so he could make it to practices and games. Growing up in a tight Cuban-American community, Cortés developed a work ethic and determination that shaped his career.

Both Cuban and South Florida cultures influenced how he played, mixing Cuban baseball basics with American training.

High School Achievements

At Hialeah High School, Cortés stood out as a pitcher even though he didn’t have the size most scouts look for. He made up for it with sharp control and a strong baseball IQ.

During high school, Cortés showed off:

• Smooth pitching mechanics
• Command of several pitches
• Leadership as a teammate
• Consistent outings against tough teams

His stats showed he relied more on finesse and trickery than pure speed. That style became his trademark, and it’s why people started calling him “Nasty Nestor”—he just keeps hitters guessing.

Path to Professional Baseball

Cortés didn’t have the easy road of a top prospect. Scouts often passed him over because of his size, but the New York Yankees saw something special and picked him in the 36th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, number 1094 overall.

He signed with the Yankees instead of heading to college, kicking off his pro career in their minor league system.

Cortés worked his way up, getting better every year. He tweaked his pitching motion and added new pitches, showing off the baseball smarts that would eventually get him noticed in the big leagues.

Professional Career Highlights

Nestor Cortes built a name for himself as one of baseball’s quirkiest pitchers. His deceptive delivery and ability to mess with hitters’ timing set him apart, even though he doesn’t throw especially hard. He bounced around a bit before finally finding his groove.

MLB Debut and Early Years

The New York Yankees drafted Cortes in the 36th round back in 2013. He made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Baltimore Orioles after they grabbed him in the Rule 5 draft.

Early on, he had a rough time sticking with one team. The Yankees took him back, and he bounced between the majors and Triple-A, struggling to find a permanent spot.

During those years, Cortes started experimenting with different arm angles and timing tricks. He wasn’t always consistent, but you could see glimpses of what he’d become.

Tenure With the New York Yankees

Cortes really took off when he returned to the Yankees. He went from a fringe reliever to a solid starting pitcher. In 2021, he surprised everyone with a 2.90 ERA over 93 innings—suddenly, he was a key part of the rotation.

Then came 2022, when he made his first All-Star team and posted a 2.44 ERA in 28 starts. He did it with pinpoint command and his signature trickery, not with overpowering speed.

Highlights from his Yankees run:

• 2021: 2.90 ERA, 103 strikeouts in 93 innings
• 2022: All-Star, 2.44 ERA, 163 strikeouts
• 2023: Dealt with injuries, results were mixed

Fans in New York loved him for his results and his unique vibe on the mound.

Key Performances and Milestones

One of Cortes’ top performances happened on May 9, 2022. He took a no-hitter into the eighth against the Texas Rangers before giving up a hit to Eli White. He struck out 11 that day, really showing off his command.

Making the All-Star team in 2022 was a huge deal for a guy drafted so late. For a good stretch that year, he kept his ERA under 2.00.

Cortes also stepped up in big moments, like his playoff start against Cleveland in the 2022 ALDS—just three hits and one run over five innings.

He doesn’t throw gas—his fastball sits 90-92 mph—but he’s racked up 583 career strikeouts with smarts and deception.

Other Teams: Mets, Dodgers, Padres

After his Yankees days, Cortes landed with the Milwaukee Brewers, signing a $7,600,000 deal for 2025.

Before his big break, he bounced around a bit. The Baltimore Orioles picked him in the Rule 5 draft, but he struggled and went back to the Yankees.

He also had a short stop with the Seattle Mariners in 2020, pitching in five games before heading back to the Yankees.

People sometimes linked him to the Mets, Dodgers, or Padres during trade rumors, but he never actually played for those teams. The rumors usually popped up when the Yankees needed pitching or if Cortes got hurt.

Pitching Style and Statistics

Nestor Cortes has carved out a spot as one of baseball’s most unusual and effective pitchers. He relies on deception and precision, not raw power. That’s made him a real asset.

Pitch Repertoire

Cortes throws five pitches, all with good movement—even if none are especially fast. His four-seam fastball usually clocks in at 90-92 mph, but the way he throws it makes it tough to hit. He uses a cutter as his main weapon against righties.

His slider has become a solid secondary pitch, with a sharp break. The changeup and curveball round things out, letting him mix speeds and keep hitters off-balance.

But what really sets Cortes apart is his willingness to mess with timing and arm angles. Sometimes he hesitates, sometimes he speeds up—it’s all about keeping hitters guessing.

Strikeout and Walk Rates

Cortes turned himself into a strikeout pitcher, especially since his breakout. Lately, he’s been striking out 9-10 batters per nine innings, which is impressive for a guy without huge velocity.

He’s also got great control. Cortes usually keeps his walk rate below 2.5 per nine innings, which lets him work deep into games.

Put those together, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio hovers around 4.0—one of the better marks in the league. He’s especially tough on division rivals, limiting walks while still getting swings and misses.

His ability to avoid walks and pile up strikeouts shows just how precise he is. That’s not something every pitcher can say.

ERA and Other Key Metrics

Cortes has posted strong ERAs as he’s developed. His breakout year, he kept his ERA under 3.00, proving he could handle a starting role. Advanced stats like FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) usually back up his traditional numbers.

He’s been good at keeping home runs in check, too. Even in Yankee Stadium, which is pretty hitter-friendly, he’s kept his home run rate down.

His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning) usually sits around 1.10, a sign he doesn’t let many runners on. Batters hit under .230 against him most years, which says a lot about how tough he is to square up.

Advanced metrics like expected ERA and barrel percentage also look good for him—they show he’s not just getting lucky.

Notable Matchups and Opponents

Cortes has shown he can handle pressure, whether it’s big division games or the postseason. He’s done especially well against AL East teams like the Red Sox and Blue Jays.

When he faces top hitters, Cortes adjusts. Against right-handed sluggers, he leans on his cutter to jam them. Lefties struggle with his slider breaking away.

He once outdueled the Phillies ace in a memorable game. He’s also gone toe-to-toe with Atlanta’s Max Fried, proving he can match up with the best.

He hasn’t pitched in a World Series yet, but his playoff outings so far show he can stay cool on the biggest stage.

Contract Details and Salary

Nestor Cortes has seen his salary climb a lot since he entered the majors. He started out making league minimum, but now he’s earning millions as a proven pitcher. His contract story keeps evolving, especially after joining the Milwaukee Brewers.

MLB Contracts and Earnings

Cortes started out with small contracts, earning close to the league minimum as he bounced around. His big financial jump came after he found his footing with the Yankees. He made $727,500 during his breakout years, then started getting bigger raises through arbitration.

By 2023, his salary jumped to $3.2 million as he kept proving himself. Contract records show he earned $3,200,000 in 2024 with the Yankees—a big raise from his early years.

His earnings pretty much follow the typical MLB path: start out low, then cash in once you’ve put up numbers and earned some service time.

Free Agency and Negotiations

The 2024-2025 offseason really changed the game for Cortes and his future earnings. After he became arbitration-eligible, Cortes and the Milwaukee Brewers skipped the usual arbitration drama and hammered out a deal on January 9, 2025.

The lefty signed a one-year contract worth $7.6 million with the Brewers. That’s a whopping 137% jump from his previous salary—clearly, teams see more value in what he brings now.

Negotiations probably focused on Cortes’ recent stats, how he stacks up against similar pitchers, and what he might deliver in 2025. The one-year contract gives both sides some breathing room, and maybe lets Cortes raise his value before free agency hits.

Long-Term Deal Potential

Even with just a one-year deal in hand for 2025, Cortes sits in a good spot to chase a longer contract—either with Milwaukee or out on the open market after the season.

A few big things will shape what happens next:

Performance Factors:

• How steady he stays in 2025
• His health record
• Whether his velocity and effectiveness hold up

Market Considerations:

• What similar pitchers are getting paid
• Overall demand for pitching
• The team’s payroll wiggle room

He’ll be 30 in 2025, which puts him at a crossroads. Multi-year security might look pretty appealing, but teams sometimes hesitate to bet big on pitchers in their 30s. His current $7.6 million salary sets a starting point for whatever comes next.

If he keeps pitching well, maybe he lands a 3-4 year deal somewhere in the $40-60 million range.

Comparison With Yankees Payroll

When Cortes left the Yankees for the Brewers, the financial landscape changed a lot for him. The Yankees are famous for their huge payrolls, especially for pitching—several of their starters make $15 million or more every year.

Cortes gave the Yankees great value for what they paid. In 2024, he earned $3.2 million, which was a steal compared to what some of their other rotation guys made.

The Yankees chose not to keep him at $7.6 million, which says something. Maybe they worried about his durability, wanted to spend elsewhere, or just felt good about their younger, cheaper pitchers.

For the Yankees, Cortes’ 2025 salary would put him in the middle of their pitching pay scale. But for the Brewers, it’s a much bigger slice of their smaller payroll.

Net Worth and Off-Field Ventures

Nestor Cortes has managed to build up real financial stability through his MLB work and some off-field interests. His money comes from his Yankees contract, possible endorsements, and whatever else he gets up to in the offseason.

Estimated Net Worth

Cortes has put together a decent fortune for himself. His net worth is estimated between $1 million and $1.5 million, though some newer sources throw out numbers as high as $5 million.

He’s seen his salary climb as his career took off. After signing with the Yankees, his pay jumped. His first contract was only $727,500, but by 2023 he had landed a $3.2 million one-year contract.

That financial growth really shows how much the Yankees valued him as he developed into a key pitcher. His quirky pitching style and strong analytics have made him pretty valuable.

Sponsorships and Endorsements

Cortes doesn’t have a flashy endorsement portfolio like some MLB stars. Still, his popularity took off after his All-Star nod, and that’s made him more interesting to sponsors.

He’s been picky about which brands he works with, sticking to ones that fit his personality and his baseball image. His mustache and unique delivery have turned into a bit of a personal brand.

Nobody’s put out hard numbers on his endorsement deals, but they probably give him a nice boost on top of his Yankees salary. If he keeps trending up, those opportunities will probably keep coming.

Offseason Activities

In the offseason, Cortes stays busy with personal growth and helping out in the community. He keeps his training routine going strong and often works with pitching coaches to fine-tune his style.

He gets involved with Yankees outreach programs and sometimes runs youth baseball clinics. That lets him give back and build his brand at the same time.

Cortes also spends the offseason digging into his performance numbers with the Yankees analytics crew. That focus on data has helped him get the most out of his unusual delivery.

He doesn’t forget about downtime, either. Hanging out with family and friends helps him recharge for the grind of the MLB season. That balance really matters for his mental game.

Personal Life and Privacy Considerations

Even as his MLB fame grows, Nestor Cortes keeps his personal life pretty private. His background and ties to his community still matter a lot to him.

Family and Relationships

Nestor Cortes was born December 10, 1994, in Surgidero de Batabano, Cuba. He’s always embraced his Cuban-American heritage, and that’s shaped who he is on and off the field. People call him the “Hialeah Kid”, since he grew up in that Miami suburb after his family moved to the U.S.

Cortes doesn’t say much about his family, but he has talked about how his parents sacrificed to help him chase his baseball dreams. His journey from Cuba to the majors really shows his family’s grit.

When it comes to relationships, Cortes keeps things quiet. He prefers to keep the spotlight on his baseball career, not his personal life.

Community Involvement

Cortes has built a solid reputation for giving back to the places that helped him grow as a player. He’s run youth baseball clinics, especially around Hialeah, where he grew up.

He stays close to the Cuban-American community and inspires young Latino players who hope to make it big. Cortes has joined Yankees outreach efforts, visiting schools and hospitals in New York.

Even though he’s known as “Nasty Nestor” on the mound, people describe him as approachable and humble during community events. He always seems to find time for fans—especially kids who love baseball.