As of this writing, Mason Miller leads all relief pitchers in K% and K-BB%. He’s one of this season’s breakout stars, garnering high praise that has led some to believe his years of team control could fetch a significant return in the trade market. Following closely behind Miller is Jeremiah Estrada, a 6-foot-1 right-hander claimed off waivers by the Padres last November.
While Estrada struggled in previous MLB experiences with the Cubs, this season tells a different story. With 48 strikeouts and only 10 walks in 26 1/3 innings, Estrada boasts a remarkable 43.6 K%, ranking second in the league and putting him on pace for one of the 20 best all-time if he maintains this performance.
Estrada’s pitching style, characterized by a hard fastball with little horizontal movement and significant rise, generates fly balls and strikeouts. His revamped secondary pitches, including a faster slider and a new split-change, have elevated his game to a whole new level.
Despite his impressive strikeout and walk numbers, Estrada’s ERA remains slightly higher than desired. While some attribute this to bad luck, his tendency to give up hard-hit balls when contact is made poses a challenge. Maintaining his high strikeout rate will be crucial for Estrada’s success moving forward, especially as the Padres eye him for a key role in the playoffs.
Overall, Estrada’s ability to strike out over 40% of batters faced sets a high standard for performance, mitigating the impact of occasional hard contact. With his demon splitter leading the charge, Estrada has the potential to thrive in high-leverage situations.
