Chris Cortez, one of Texas A&M baseball’s biggest success stories, selected by LA Angels in second round of MLB draft with 45th overall pick
One of the best stories for Texas A&M baseball last season, in a year full of them, was the emergence of Chris Cortez. He was able to harness his physical gifts in order to lift the Aggie pitching staff to new heights en route to a CWS finals berth.
During his time in 2023, Cortez had a reputation as a guy with the livest of arms but nearly completely lacking in control. In 2024, however, his control improved massively, really without losing any speed. Now, things were still a roller coaster at times—if his confidence got shaken, the old Chris would show up every once in a while—but more often than not, he was a commanding presence on the mound.
That command was enough to get a lot of Major League Baseball teams interested in a huge way. Cortez’s name shot up the draft boards with every triple-digits fastball he threw—which was not an insignificant amount.
That improvement and hard work has finally come to fruition, as Cortez was selected last night by the Los Angeles Angels with the 45th overall pick.
With the 45th pick in the 2024 #MLBDraft, we have selected P Chris Cortez from Texas A&M.
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 15, 2024
Welcome to the Angels, Chris! pic.twitter.com/mNgMpfYHZo
I’m sure many Aggie fans—both fans of the Rangers and Astros—won’t be the happiest with the destination, but are elated for Chris. His potential is sky-high, as he has shown time and time again, and I’m sure he will make a name for himself in the big leagues sooner rather than later.
Congratulations again, Chris! The Aggies now await where Ryan Prager will be selected, along with high school signee Sawyer Farr. There's a chance both of these guys could end up in College Station next season pending where other MLB teams select them.