Estrada’s Resurgence: From Cubs Castaway to Padres’ Bullpen Star

Jeremiah Estrada, a former sixth-round draft pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2017, has emerged as a crucial asset for the San Diego Padres after being released by the Cubs following the 2023 season. Estrada, who was not initially projected to be “the next big thing,” managed to generate some excitement with his potential early in his career. Despite a promising start, the fluctuating speeds of his fastball and his inconsistent changeup held back his progress, according to his scouting report.

Estrada’s journey took a challenging turn in 2019 with a subpar performance, and he missed the entire 2020 season due to the pandemic. However, he made a notable comeback in 2021 and by 2022, he had significantly improved his ERA to 1.30 over 48.1 innings, spanning from High-A to Triple-A. Estrada debuted in Major League Baseball as a COVID-19 replacement player, delivering a performance with two strikeouts and one walk against the opposing team.

Despite showing promise, Estrada’s stint with the Cubs ended with a disappointing 6.75 ERA over his final five games, leading to his waiver in November 2023. The San Diego Padres claimed Estrada, and he has since become a standout in their bullpen. Although his season with the Padres had its rough patches, Estrada finished strong, notably setting an MLB record with 13 consecutive strikeouts in May. His final month showcased a remarkable 0.84 ERA over 10.2 innings in 13 games.

The key to Estrada’s turnaround has been an increase in his fastball velocity, averaging over 97 MPH, and the addition of an effective splitter to his pitch repertoire, enhancing his on-field performance significantly. This turnaround has highlighted his rise as a crucial player for the Padres, especially amidst the struggles faced by the Cubs bullpen this season.