A product of Ciudad Habana, Cuba, Estrada signed with the Blue Jays as an international free agent in 2018 and joined the Dominican Summer League later that year – posting a 2.06 ERA through 14 starts in his first pro season. He made the trip stateside in 2019 and over the past six years, Estrada has been grinding his way up the minor league ladder.
Injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic limited his innings early, with the Cuban product compiling just 39 1/3 innings through 2021 and 2022. Estrada has spent most of his time split between Rookie ball and single-A/high-A and this season, he made the jump to double-A for the first time in his career.
Beginning the 2024 campaign in Dunedin, Estrada made two rehab starts in single-A before being sent across the country (and North of the border) to high-A Vancouver. He made nine starts for the Canadians, posting a 1.96 ERA through 41 1/3 innings and even tossed a complete game, seven-inning no-hitter against the Tri-City Dust Devils.
In mid-July, the Jays promoted Estrada to double-A New Hampshire where he made 11 starts for the Fisher Cats – amassing a 4.47 ERA to the tune of a 1.261 WHIP and a 9.5 K/9. He was recently named to the Arizona Fall League roster, his first time heading to the prospect-laden league, and will join seven other Jays prospects heading to the desert for October baseball. He will likely be used sparingly in Arizona considering he pitched a career-high 98 1/3 innings this year and has an injury history.
For his pro career, the 25-year-old owns a 3.28 ERA through six seasons and 91 outings (62 starts).
