JORGE CORTES
10/17/80; NDFA '97; Colombia
L/L; 6-0, 169
| Level |
BA |
OBP |
SA |
AB |
2B |
3B |
HR |
BB |
K |
SB |
CS |
| 1999 R |
.301 |
.385 |
.366 |
93 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
14 |
19 |
2 |
|
| 2000 A- |
.202 |
.289 |
.335 |
173 |
11 |
0 |
4 |
20 |
48 |
0 |
2 |
| 2001 A- |
.254 |
.329 |
.386 |
189 |
17 |
1 |
2 |
20 |
25 |
2 |
2 |
| 2002 A |
.254 |
.343 |
.390 |
59 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
| 2002 A- |
.328 |
.426 |
.427 |
253 |
14 |
4 |
1 |
44 |
20 |
7 |
7 |
| 2003 A+ |
.264 |
.315 |
.333 |
129 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
25 |
1 |
1 |
| 2003 A |
.325 |
.427 |
.475 |
345 |
24 |
2 |
8 |
56 |
47 |
9 |
5 |
| 2004 AA |
.281 |
.338 |
.482 |
139 |
8 |
1 |
6 |
13 |
24 |
0 |
1 |
| 2004 A+ |
.292 |
.385 |
.435 |
260 |
20 |
1 |
5 |
37 |
48 |
1 |
2 |
Cortes is one of the most interesting players in the system. The Pirates regard
him as having a very advanced approach at the plate, with excellent knowledge of
the strike zone and a very sound swing. He followed up his strong 2002 season with
an MVP season at Hickory, finishing second in batting and once again posting an
outstanding BB/K ratio. He has several drawbacks, however, that limit his potential
as a prospect. One is the fact that he's always been old for the levels he's played
at after he spent three years in the NY-P League. Another is that he's a "tweener":
he's a small guy who lacks the power for the corners and the speed for CF, although
the team has played him some at the latter spot, probably to add versatility. When
I've seen him, he's looked good in the OF sometimes and shaky others. He has a good
arm and recorded 21 assists during 2003. Another issue with him has sometimes been
slow adjustment to new levels. Aside from spending three years at Williamsport, he
didn't hit well during a late 2003 stint at Lynchburg. He was hurt at the beginning
of 2004, then started off very slowly. He eventually got hot, however, and earned a
promotion. When he first got to Altoona, he hit a number of HRs right away, but his
BA was in the low .200s and he was drawing very few walks. After a couple weeks,
though, he got on a hot streak and got his average up, and he also started drawing
walks at close to his former, high rate. He was not selected in the 2003 or 2004
Rule 5 draft despite being eligible, which probably reflects the view that he doesn't
have a high ceiling. Because the Pirates have started moving him more quickly, he's
catching up to his age group. He was a minor league free agent after the season, but
re-signed with the Pirates. He'll almost certainly begin 2005 at Altoona, but a
promotion during the season would get him to Indianapolis before he turns 25.
Return to Outfielders