Chris Cortez Removes Name From Transfer Portal, Returns To Texas A&M
Chris Cortez thought about leaving Texas A&M baseball, but had a change of heart at the final moment.
One day after entering his name in the transfer portal, Cortez will remove his name and head back to Blue Bell Park for the 2024 season. The news was first reported by the Bryan-College Station Eagle and later confirmed by A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle.
Cortez, a native of Las Vegas, will have two years of eligibility remaining with his next team after joining the Aggies in 2022. He's expected to remain in the running for one of the four starter positions next spring, including a spot on the weekend rotation.
Known for his high-heating fastball, Cortez posted a 3-1 record with a 7.34 ERA in 2023. The right-hander excelled with the heat, posting a fastball that consistently ran in the high 90s and even reached triple digits on more than one occasion.
Command was Cortez's biggest problem, often leading to shorter outings and later a demotion to the bullpen. As a sophomore, he struggled with consistency in a pitcher's counts, walking 40 batters against 39 strikeouts in 41.2 innings.
He also posted a 2.06 WHIP, the second-highest on the team behind fellow sophomore Robert Hogan (3.13).
Pitching as a whole for A&M was a concern in 2023. The Aggies posted a team ERA of 5.66 with 633 strikeouts against 591 hits allowed. Schlossnagle also consistently switched up his No. 2 and No. 3 pitchers in the weekend rotation behind junior Nathan Dettmer, making 12 changes during the regular season.
Cortez's return should add an even more veteran feel to the pitching staff entering 2024. Freshmen Justin Lampkin and Shane Sdao came on strong in the second half of the season and should be front-runners to start in the rotation. Sophomore Troy Wansing was exceptional in four of his final five outings, allowing two hits and a walk against 10 strikeouts.
With Cortez electing to return, the Aggies are set to lose seven players to the transfer portal. A&M added eight newcomers this offseason, including Fairfield third baseman and 2023 MAAC Player of the Year Charlie Pagliarini.
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