Jeremiah Estrada finds himself at a crossroads as he wraps up his sophomore season with the San Diego Padres. Despite striking out over 100 batters during the regular season, he grapples with the stark reality of allowing 12 home runs—three times the amount from the previous year. His earned run average (ERA) has swelled to 5.18 over the final stretch of the season, although he still managed a scoreless inning recently, pushing his workload to a career-high 73 innings.
“I’m feeling good,” Estrada stated, noting that while he does experience the usual aches and fatigue, he leads all MLB relievers with 108 strikeouts. The Padres’ bullpen, which has recorded a league-leading 3.05 ERA, has also seen three relievers—an unprecedented occurrence in MLB history—recognized as All-Stars this year. However, with an injury sidelining one of those All-Stars, Jason Adam, the demands on Estrada have increased. He enters the postseason as the Padres’ most active reliever, ranking third in the majors with 77 appearances and tied for fifth with 30 holds.
Estrada’s journey to this point has roots that trace back to his drafting by the Chicago Cubs in the sixth round of the 2017 draft. Despite a promising beginning, a setback due to Tommy John surgery in 2018 and a rocky relationship with the Cubs led to his eventual departure from the team on his 25th birthday. The lack of a strong fit with the organization prompted him to seek a change.
“Wearing that jersey was amazing… but there were some things that just weren’t going my way,” Estrada expressed. After being optioned multiple times and having key pitches removed from his repertoire, Estrada welcomed his release, stating, “It just wasn’t a good fit.”
A few days post-release, he was claimed by the Padres and found a renewed sense of belonging under the guidance of pitching coach Ruben Niebla and bullpen coach Ben Fritz. This supportive environment allowed him to thrive, culminating in a remarkable spring training where he set an MLB record by striking out 13 consecutive batters in May.
Estrada’s relationship with the Cubs continues to be a significant chapter in his career narrative. In a notable matchup earlier this season, he struck out two hitters in a perfect inning against his former team and followed up with another strong performance the very next day, both games resulting in wins for the Padres. Reflecting on his past, Estrada emphasized, “It’s not about eff you guys. It’s about, ‘This is what you guys missed out on.’”
As the Padres enter the postseason, Estrada’s story serves as a testament to resilience and adaptation, showcasing how challenges can ultimately lead to growth and success in the face of adversity. His trajectory from uncertainty with the Cubs to becoming a pivotal player for the Padres symbolizes hope and determination in professional sports.