News Summary
Carlos Cortes, a former University of South Carolina athlete, has been called up to the Major Leagues by the Oakland Athletics. This significant achievement marks him as the 60th player from the Gamecock program to reach professional baseball’s highest level. Cortes excelled in the Triple-A affiliate, Las Vegas Aviators, posting a .322 batting average with impressive stats including 24 doubles and 17 home runs. His successful collegiate career laid a strong foundation, and fans are eager to see his contributions to the Athletics.
Oakland, CA – Carlos Cortes, a former student-athlete from the University of South Carolina, has officially been called up to the Major Leagues by the Oakland Athletics on May 22. This achievement marks a notable milestone as he becomes the 60th player from the Gamecock program to reach the pinnacle of professional baseball.
Cortes has showcased impressive skills during his time with the Las Vegas Aviators, the Athletics’ Triple-A affiliate. Over the course of 71 games this season, he boasts a remarkable batting average of .322. Cortes has also established himself as a powerful hitter, recording 24 doubles, 17 home runs, and 77 RBIs. He rounded out his impressive statistics with an OPS of 1.017 and has scored 55 runs.
This season marks Cortes’ first year in the Oakland Athletics organization after beginning his professional career in 2018 with the New York Mets. His performance in Triple-A has demonstrated not only his ability to hit but also his potential as a valuable player for the Athletics moving forward.
Background on Carlos Cortes
Cortes, who was a two-year letterwinner during his college career at the University of South Carolina, developed his skills on the field before moving on to professional baseball. During his time at the university, he earned recognition by being named to the 2017 SEC All-Freshman team and the 2017 SEC All-Tournament team. His contributions helped propel the Gamecocks to the Super Regional in 2018, where he was part of the squad that reached the Greenville Regional Tournament.
In collegiate play, Cortes accumulated impressive stats, including 18 doubles, 27 home runs, and 85 RBIs across 112 games. His accomplishments at South Carolina laid a strong foundation for his professional aspirations, reflecting his dedication to the sport since his early years.
Recent Developments with the Athletics
Cortes’ call-up comes at a significant time for the Athletics. Currently, the team is engaged in a three-game series against the Texas Rangers, which will conclude on Wednesday. Following this matchup, the Athletics will head to Houston for another three games before returning home to host the Seattle Mariners. The timing of Cortes’ ascent to the Major Leagues could play a pivotal role as Oakland aims to improve their standings in the competitive league.
Before Cortes, the last player from the University of South Carolina to make it to the Major Leagues was Carmen Mlodzinski, who joined the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier this year in 2023. The call-up of Cortes not only highlights his hard work and determination but also continues the legacy of Gamecock athletes achieving success in professional baseball.
As Cortes prepares to take the field with the Athletics, fans and supporters look forward to seeing how he translates his recent Triple-A success into Major League performance. His exceptional play thus far has set high expectations, and the baseball community is eager to witness his contributions to the team.
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Additional Resources
- Gamecocks Online: Cortes Earns Call-Up to the Athletics
- Wikipedia: Carlos Cortes (baseball)
- NBC Sports Bay Area: Carlos Cortes Interview
- Google Search: Carlos Cortes Athletics
- RotoWire: Carlos Cortes News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Carlos Cortes
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