During the Brewers’ quest to return to relevance in the National League, two of their biggest weaknesses were an absence of clutch hitting and power from the catcher’s position.
General Manager Doug Melvin never had to worry about that problem during his previous stint with the Texas Rangers. For seven years, Ivan Rodriguez handled the duties behind the plate and swung a hot bat. But in five seasons with the Brewers, finding the right mix of offense and defense behind the plate has been a chore for Melvin.
Prior to 2007, Brewers catchers combined to hit .242 with 51 home runs. With the team poised to make a genuine run at its first playoff berth since 1982, Melvin shipped pitcher Doug Davis to Arizona in exchange for Johnny Estrada, an all-star with the Braves in 2004.
“We weren’t really targeting any specific person,” Melvin says of the deal. “Johnny was attractive because he was young in terms of service time, and being a switch-hitter he’s had some success.”
Melvin, manager Ned Yost, and fans couldn’t be happier with the acquisition.
The switch-hitting backstop enters play today batting .297 with two home runs and nine runs batted in. Estrada’s 27 hits are hardly an earth-shattering total, but it’s the timing of his hits that make him such a valuable commodity.
Estrada has hit safely in 19 of his 22 games this year and raised his average 30 points by going 11 for 31 with two home runs and five batted in over his last eight games.
Not the type of hitter to draw a lot of walks, Estrada also doesn’t strike out a lot. Heading into the season, he had just 180 K’s, while posting a .280 career average.
“I take a lot of pride in not striking out a lot,” Estrada says. “I try to put the ball in play with two strikes. I’ve always been an aggressive hitter and I’ve always been able to put the bat on the ball.”
Batting coach Jim Skaalen says its Estrada’s approach at the plate that makes him such a talented hitter, especially in the Brewers’ lineup.
“He really thrives on situations when there are guys on (base),” Skaalen says. “I think he’s a little disappointed when he comes up and there’s nobody on.”
His numbers with runners in scoring position aren’t the most impressive in the world (.183), but his ability to put the ball in play is what makes him a threat at the plate.
“Anytime you can put the ball in play, you’ve got a better chance of making something happen,” Estrada says. “Guys might make an error or throw a ball away. If I’ve got runners, I just want to try to get them over, or if I get a chance, get them in.”
His offense aside, Estrada has been equally effective behind the plate. His extensive action during spring training helped him get into a groove with the team’s starting rotation. Considering the starters are a combined 15-7 so far (the team is 20-10), the relationship is strong.
“It’s important to be on the same page,” says Ben Sheets. “You want to be able to trust each other out there. Ultimately, I gotta make the pitch so I’m (going to) throw the one that I want, but (Estrada) knows what I like to do in situations.”
Estrada has been behind the plate for all six of Sheets’ starts this season, and says the biggest adjustment he’s had to make in learning the Brewers’ staff is catching Sheets’ curveball.
Estrada’s ability to handle the pitching staff early is part by design and also part talent; the Brewers’ starting five is among the younger, but more talented groups in the National League.
“I’ve got some pretty easy pitchers to catch,” Estrada says. They all throw strikes and for the most part, around the plate. Guys won’t always have their best stuff every day, but when they do … it makes my job much, much easier.”
