MESA, Ariz. \u2014 When Carlos Cortes<\/a><\/strong> learned he\u2019d been selected for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, his first emotion wasn\u2019t about his career. It was about what it meant for his family. \u201cI was very proud, very excited for my family,\u201d Cortes said. \u201cThey\u2019re really excited.\u201d<\/p>\n For the Athletics<\/a> outfielder, who debuted July 23 in Arlington<\/a> against the Texas Rangers<\/a>, the WBC represents more than a high\u2011profile showcase. It\u2019s a chance to honor his roots, sharpen his game against elite competition, and head into the season battle-tested.<\/p>\n Cortes spoke repeatedly about how much this opportunity means to him and to those closest to him. Wearing Puerto Rico\u2019s colors is something he views as a responsibility as much as a privilege. The pride runs deep: the WBC is one of the rare settings where identity, heritage, and baseball intersect. For Cortes, that intersection is energizing.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m happy to be able to represent them in a tournament like that,\u201d he said, referring to his family and Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n While Cortes is focused on doing his job, he\u2019s also aware of the talent around him on Puerto Rico\u2019s roster. One name in particular stands out: Nolan Arenado<\/a><\/strong>, one of the premier third basemen of his generation. \u201cHe\u2019s a special guy. Special player. So I\u2019m excited to see him play, play alongside him,\u201d Cortes said.<\/p>\n Arenado, who suited up for Team USA in the last two World Baseball Classics, brings star power and postseason experience. For a younger player like Cortes, sharing a dugout with someone of Arenado\u2019s caliber is both surreal and instructive. In that sense, the WBC serves as an accelerated, high\u2011pressure form of development. It\u2019s a crash course in how elite players prepare, compete, and carry themselves under pressure.<\/p>\n Another major draw for Cortes is the skipper: Yadier Molina<\/a><\/strong>. The longtime Cardinals<\/a> catcher, one of the greatest defensive backstops of his era, is managing Puerto Rico this year.<\/p>\n When asked to confirm who the manager was, Cortes needed only one word. \u201cYadi,\u201d he said with a smile. The chance to be around Molina is something Cortes isn\u2019t taking lightly, also saying that getting to meet him will be \u201cpretty cool.\u201d For a player who relies on versatility and baseball IQ, learning from Molina could be invaluable.<\/p>\n For all the emotion and star power surrounding the event, Cortes is also viewing the WBC through a practical lens: a way to get ready for the season while competing at the highest level.<\/p>\n \u201cPlay well. Continue to get quality at bats and really get ready for the season,\u201d he said when asked about his goals for the tournament beyond simply winning it all. That means treating every plate appearance as both a chance to help Puerto Rico and an opportunity to lock in his timing ahead of the regular season. As an outfielder fighting to solidify his role, Cortes knows he must be prepared to contribute in any situation.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously I\u2019ll try to do everything I can to win games there,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd then use that to be of use this year on this team. Whatever it is.\u201d He later added it\u2019ll be nice to do that \u201cearly on \u2014 before the season starts \u2014 in competitive games.\u201d<\/p>\n There\u2019s no substitute for game speed. Exhibition games and live reps under tournament pressure offer a different kind of readiness than standard spring training.<\/p>\n Before heading to San Juan, the team sharpened up on the mainland with two exhibitions. One came Tuesday and another Wednesday, both in Fort Myers, Florida. Cortes went 3-for-3 with two runs Tuesday as the designated hitter in a 5\u20133 win over the Boston Red Sox<\/a>. Wednesday, he went 0-for-2 with a walk as the right fielder in a 6\u20133 loss to the Minnesota Twins<\/a>.<\/p>\n For a player still early in his big\u2011league journey, the World Baseball Classic is a major checkpoint. Cortes has already experienced the thrill of a major league debut and the grind of trying to stick in the majors. He was also standing on first base<\/a> when Nick Kurtz<\/a><\/strong> hit the final home run of his legendary 6-for-6, four homer night in Houston<\/a> last July. Cortes\u2019 two-out single up the middle was what extended the inning to give Kurtz the chance for his fourth homer. Now, he\u2019ll add representing Puerto Rico on a global stage to his r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/p>\n In the end, Cortes is approaching the WBC the same way he approaches his role in the majors. Stay ready, remain versatile, and do whatever he can to help his team win. It doesn\u2019t matter if that team is wearing green and gold or red, white, and blue with \u2018Puerto Rico\u2019 across the chest. And if along the way he gets to make his family proud, learn from legends like Yadier Molina, and share the field with stars like Nolan Arenado, all the better.<\/p>\nRepresenting Puerto Rico and Honoring His Family<\/h3>\n
Carlos Cortes Shares a Clubhouse with Stars<\/h3>\n
Learning under a Future Hall of Famer\u2019s Leadership<\/h3>\n
Using the WBC as a Springboard into the Season<\/h3>\n
Carlos Cortes Sharpens His Game Ahead of Tournament Play<\/h3>\n
A New Stage in a Growing Major League Journey<\/h3>\n
Main Photo:<\/h4>\n