Every pitcher and batter is going to need to make adjustments to the new MLB rules. And even over the course of spring training, we’ve seen a dramatic drop in pitch clock violations. We also saw some pitchers trying to find loopholes in the system.
That has led to MLB making some minor tweaks to the rules, and that came into play with Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes on Tuesday.
During a spring training game against the Washington Nationals, Cortes tried to time a quick pitch right around the eight-second mark to Jeimer Candelario the exact moment he looked up. However, home plate umpire Reed Basner called the pitch dead immediately because Cortes did not give Candelario adequate time to become alert to the pitcher.
They called a quick pitch because Nestor Cortes Jr. didn’t establish eye contact with the batter pic.twitter.com/4b7cmOGBE7
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) March 28, 2023
The result was an automatic ball.
But look how Cortes responded to the ruling. Since the bases were empty, he went with the opposite of a quick pitch and broke out an exaggerated, swaying delivery.
Nestor Cortes getting called for a quick pitch…
And then the next pitch was like:
Suck it–here's an Extra-Long Pitch. 😂 pic.twitter.com/D6ngTLSS6n
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 28, 2023
You could see Cortes laughing about the whole sequence. You have to love that pettiness right there. Despite the automatic ball, Cortes would get Candelario to ground out in the at-bat.
MLB fans had thoughts on the whole response too.
This was how Twitter reacted
MLB: Hurry it up you’re taking forever
Also MLB: https://t.co/tZ4SNgQXFc pic.twitter.com/MeWlklgYVD— Datt Mavis (@Datt__Mavis) March 28, 2023
I don't ever want to cheer for a Yankee but I approve of this. https://t.co/YEjPdMlnPI
— Minor Leaguer (@Minor_Leaguer) March 28, 2023
We stan a petty king https://t.co/m5bbrVHYxV
— Forum Mods Pension Fund (@foofan22) March 28, 2023
Batter eye contact is required before a pitch can be legally thrown; however, Nestor's revenge delivery is completely legal. https://t.co/wptzescQwS
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) March 28, 2023
oh man. this is incredible. I imagine this guy is just a ton of fun to root for. Love watching Nestor pitch https://t.co/vZolKyPMix
— SoDo Mojo (@SodoMojoFS) March 28, 2023
Baseball is gonna be really weird this season. https://t.co/zL5TaqhW2H
— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) March 28, 2023
Nestor is hilarious 😂 Never takes it too serious out there https://t.co/bl1bnrRIg5
— Austin (@ScriberNYY) March 28, 2023
incredibly petty, im here for it https://t.co/OdiLHGwOkd
— panamanian pete (@JesusBustass) March 28, 2023
Ha, ump tried to make this about him and Cortes said, lol no https://t.co/mnawtzFWGP
— kat says fire manfred……into the sun ☀️ (@bgardnerfanclub) March 28, 2023
You might see plenty of that this season.
