MLB’s One-Season Wonders: Johnny Estrada and 2004
Many baseball fans these days aren’t aware of Johnny Estrada. The catcher had a very short-lived career playing for Philadelphia, Atlanta, Arizona, Milwaukee and Washington. He is a strange anomaly in the long history of Major League Baseball, but he is indeed worth mentioning.
Before 2004
Estrada broke into Major League Baseball during his age-26 season with the Phillies. He didn’t impress, and after two subpar seasons with the team, they shipped him to Atlanta. That first season with the Braves was a forgettable one, only appearing in 16 games and spending most of the time in the minors.
His statistics were not great, simply put. Combined across his first three seasons, Estrada slashed .231/.279/.345 with eight home runs. His OBP+ sat at a below average 63 (100 is league average).
2004
The Braves were basically forced to use Estrada as their starting catcher for the 2004 season, as Javy Lopez left in free agency. I don’t think almost anyone expected Estrada to have the season he had.
Statistically, his 2004 season was incredible, and not only by catcher terms. He slashed .314/.378/.450 with nine home runs and an OPS+ of 113. Estrada appeared in the All-Star game and earned his first and only Silver Slugger.
After 2004
What followed for Estrada were solid years bouncing around for a few different organizations, but nothing like his ’04 campaign. He did bat .302 in 2006 with the Diamondbacks but also boasted a below-average OPS of 92.
In his final four seasons, Johnny Estrada slashed .277/.305/.397 and an OPS+ of 79. He hung up the cleats after being designated for assignment by the Nationals in 2008. He officially retired at the age of 32.
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