Daniel Adam Cortes (born March 4, 1987) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the seventh round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft. He also played in the Kansas City Royals organization. Professional career Chicago White Sox Cortes began his professional career in with the Rookie-Level Bristol White Sox of the Appalachian League. While playing under manager Jerry Hairston, Cortes went 1-4 with a 5.17 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 15 games, even started. Baseball America ranked Cortes as the 22nd best prospect in the White Sox organization. In Cortes began his season with the Class-A Kannapolis Intimidators of the South Atlantic League. He went 3-9 with a 4.01 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 20 games, 19 starts. He was then traded to the Kansas City Royals along with pitcher Tyler Lumsden in exchange for pitcher Mike MacDougal on July 24. Kansas City Royals Cortes finished the 2006 season with the Class-A Burlington Bees of the Midwest League. He went 1-2 with a 6.69 ERA with 30 strikeouts in seven games, all starts. In Cortes played for the Class-A Advanced Wilmington Blue Rocks of the Carolina League. He went 8-8 with a 3.07 ERA with 120 strikeouts in 23 games, all starts. He was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for the week of August 20 to August 26. Cortes was again awarded Pitcher of the Week for the week of August 27 to September 2. He played for the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Texas League in . Cortes went 10-4 with a 3.78 ERA with 109 strikeouts in 23 games, all starts. Before the season he was ranked as the second best prospect in the Royals' organization by Baseball America. He was also named to the Texas League All-Star team. He did miss playing time while on the disabled list. The Royals recognized Cortes as the top pitcher for the Double-A Naturals and he was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League at the end of the '08 season. In January, Cortes received the "Paul Splittorff Pitcher of the Year Award" from the Royals. He attended spring training with the Royals in '09 as a non-roster invitee. Cortes was named a "Player to Watch" by MLB.com before the season. He went 6-6 with a 3.92 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 16 games, 15 starts