Nick Fortes Bio
Nicholas Fortes is an American professional baseball catcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Miami Marlins. Nick Fortes played college baseball for the Ole Miss Rebels and was selected by the Marlins in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Marlins.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Fortes was born on November 11, 1996, in DeLand, Florida. He grew up in the same central Florida city that shaped his early years and first introduced him to the game of baseball. Fortes attended DeLand High School, where he developed into a promising catcher and earned notice from college scouts across the Southeast. Coming out of high school, he went undrafted, a common path for catchers who still need polish at the plate and behind it.
Rather than turn professional immediately, Fortes chose to continue his development at the University of Mississippi. There, he joined a competitive Southeastern Conference program and steadily improved his game behind the plate and in the batter’s box. His junior season at Ole Miss marked a clear step forward, as he batted .319 with 11 home runs and 49 runs batted in, numbers that convinced professional scouts he was ready for the next level. The combination of defensive skill and offensive growth during his college years helped position him as one of the top catching prospects in his draft class.
Path to Baseball
During his amateur career, Fortes also gained valuable summer experience with the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders of the Northwoods League in 2017. His time there sharpened his catching instincts and gave him regular at-bats against older college competition. The summer circuit helped bridge the gap between high school ball and the rigors of SEC play, while also exposing him to a wider scouting audience.
By the time the 2018 MLB draft arrived, Fortes had built a strong resume as a defensive catcher with growing offensive upside. The Miami Marlins selected him in the fourth round, with the 117th overall pick. The selection reflected both his polish behind the plate and his power potential as a left-handed-hitting catcher. From that moment, his professional journey began, and his path through the minor leagues was set in motion.
Nick Fortes Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Fortes began his professional career in 2018, splitting the season between the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Marlins, the Batavia Muckdogs, and the Greensboro Grasshoppers. Across those stops, he hit a combined .226 with no home runs and 11 runs batted in, focusing on the fundamentals of catching and adjusting to wooden bats. The following year, he moved up to the Jupiter Hammerheads, where he batted .217 with three home runs and 29 runs batted in during the 2019 season. Those developmental years allowed him to refine his receiving, blocking, and game-calling skills while gradually adding strength at the plate.
Fortes did not play in a game in 2020 because the minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The lost season tested many young players, but he stayed ready and continued his training behind the scenes. When play resumed in 2021, he picked up where he had left off and earned a shot at the upper levels of the minors.
Minor League Breakthrough (2021)
Fortes opened the 2021 season by splitting time between the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos and the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Across both levels, he hit a combined .245 with seven home runs and 44 runs batted in, showing the kind of offensive consistency the Marlins had hoped to see. His production at the plate, combined with his steady defense, made a strong case for a big league opportunity later that summer.
On September 17, 2021, the Miami Marlins selected Fortes’ contract to the 40-man and active rosters. He made his MLB debut the next day and finished his first major league campaign with four home runs and seven runs batted in across 14 games. The brief September audition gave him a first taste of the majors and set the stage for a larger role the following year.
Miami Marlins Tenure (2022–2025)
Fortes’ first full major league season came in 2022, and it produced one of his most memorable moments. On June 26, 2022, he hit a walk-off home run off Adam Ottavino of the New York Mets, winning the game 3-2 and giving Marlins Park a memorable finish. Across 72 total appearances that year, he batted .230 with nine home runs, 24 runs batted in, and five stolen bases, establishing himself as an everyday option behind the plate.
In 2023, Fortes served as Miami’s primary catcher and played in 108 games, hitting .204 with six home runs and 26 runs batted in. He retained starting duties for the 2024 campaign, batting .227 with four home runs and 29 runs batted in across 110 appearances. By 2025, he was splitting time at catcher with Agustín Ramírez, hitting .240 with two home runs and 10 runs batted in across 59 games before his midseason change of address.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2025–Present)
On July 28, 2025, Fortes was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league outfielder Matthew Etzel. The move gave him a fresh opportunity in a new organization and a chance to contribute to an American League contender. Down the stretch, he made 38 appearances for Tampa Bay and batted .213 with three home runs, 11 runs batted in, and one stolen base. His experience behind the plate and his left-handed bat gave the Rays a steady veteran option to pair with their younger catchers.
Driving Style and Strengths
Fortes is widely regarded as a defense-first catcher who takes pride in his receiving, blocking, and game-calling. His strength behind the plate allows him to manage pitching staffs effectively and frame borderline pitches to his advantage. At the plate, he has shown occasional pop, including the walk-off homer against the Mets, and he is capable of working deep counts to manufacture walks.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Nick Fortes’ career came on June 26, 2022, when he delivered a walk-off home run against the Mets. His MLB debut on September 18, 2021, also marked a personal milestone, and his selection as the first Fond du Lac Dock Spider alumnus to play in the majors added to his list of achievements. Being traded to the Rays in 2025 represented another key chapter as he continued his career in the American League.
Nick Fortes Career Wins
Across his professional career, Nick Fortes has contributed to team wins both as a catcher and as an occasional offensive threat. His walk-off home run against the Mets in 2022 stands as one of the most dramatic individual highlights of his career.
MLB Highlights
During his time with the Miami Marlins, Fortes appeared in more than 300 major league games, serving as a starting or co-starting catcher for multiple seasons. His 2022 walk-off homer, his four-home-run September debut in 2021, and his role in guiding young pitching staffs through full seasons stand out as the main highlights of that span. With the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025, he added another chapter with 38 appearances, three home runs, and steady defensive work down the stretch.
Nick Fortes Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Nick Fortes grew up in DeLand, Florida, and was raised in a supportive family environment that encouraged his early love of baseball. While detailed information about his parents is not widely confirmed, his central Florida roots and his high school background at DeLand High School shaped his formative years. He has spoken in interviews about the importance of family support as he moved from high school ball to college and into the professional ranks.
Personal Life
Nicholas Fortes married his wife, Jessica, in November 2020. The couple has been together through the early stages of his professional career, including his minor league development and his transition to the major leagues. Their relationship has remained a steady presence as he has moved between organizations and adapted to life as a big league catcher.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transition year for Nick Fortes, as he began the campaign with the Miami Marlins and finished it with the Tampa Bay Rays. With Miami, he served as a co-primary catcher alongside Agustín Ramírez and appeared in 59 games, batting .240 with two home runs and 10 runs batted in. His veteran presence helped steady a young Marlins pitching staff through the first half of the season.
The July 28, 2025 trade to Tampa Bay reshaped his season and gave him a new role on an American League roster. Across 38 appearances with the Rays, he hit .213 with three home runs, 11 runs batted in, and one stolen base, while continuing to provide dependable defense. His combined 2025 totals across both clubs reflected a season of adjustment, production in spots, and steady work behind the plate.
Looking ahead from 2025, Fortes is expected to compete for a meaningful role within the Rays organization as a veteran catcher and a reliable left-handed bat. His experience catching a wide range of pitchers and his track record of showing up in big moments position him well for continued major league opportunities.