Johnny Estrada

Infobox MLB player
name=Johnny Estrada


width=220
caption=Estrada with the Nationals in 2008
position=Catcher
team=Free Agent
number=--
bats=Switch
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1976|6|27
debutdate=May 15
debutyear=2001
debutteam=Philadelphia Phillies
statyear=July 27, 2008
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.277
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=42
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=285
teams=
*Philadelphia Phillies (by|2001-by|2002)
*Atlanta Braves (by|2003-by|2005)
*Arizona Diamondbacks (by|2006)
*Milwaukee Brewers (by|2007)
*Washington Nationals (by|2008)

Johnny Pulado Estrada III (born June 27, 1976 in Hayward, California), is a Major League Baseball catcher who is currently a free agent.

Estrada was selected in the 17th round of the June by|1997 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. His major league career started in by|2001 with the Philadelphia Phillies after an injury to the regular starting catcher, Mike Lieberthal. In by|2002, he became a part time player. Estrada was acquired by the Atlanta Braves from the Philadelphia Phillies on December 20, 2002, for Kevin Millwood in a move that was said to be financially motivated, since the Braves couldn't pay Millwood's salary. During the by|2003 season, Estrada spent most of the year on Atlanta's Triple-A team, the Richmond Braves. After Javy López left due to free agency, Estrada became Atlanta's starting catcher in by|2004. He hit .314 with 9 home runs and 76 RBI. Estrada also made the All-Star team and helped Atlanta win their 13th division title in a row. After a slightly disappointing by|2005 season, Estrada was traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitchers Lance Cormier and Óscar Villarreal on December 7, 2005.

The by|2006 season saw Estrada's return to his All-Star form. He hit .302 with 11 home runs and 71 RBI in 115 games. After the 2006 season, Estrada was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers along with pitchers Claudio Vargas and Greg Aquino for pitchers Doug Davis, Dana Eveland and outfielder Dave Krynzel.

On November 20, by|2007, Estrada was traded from the Brewers to the New York Mets for pitcher Guillermo Mota. Estrada was not offered a new contract by the Mets and became a free agent on December 12, 2007. On January 31, by|2008, Estrada signed a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals worth approximately $1.25 million. [ [http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080131&content_id=2360899&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was The Official Site of The Washington Nationals: News: Estrada, Nationals finalize deal ] ] On July 24, Estrada was desinated for assignment, [ [http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080724&content_id=3188111&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was The Official Site of The Washington Nationals: News: Milledge returns as Estrada departs] ] and released on July 31.

References

External links

* [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=estrajo01 Baseball Almanac]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/e/estrajo01.shtml Baseball Reference]

[Category:Richmond Braves players]