Thairo Estrada
{{short description|Venezuelan baseball player (born 1996)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|Estrada|Villegas|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name = Thairo Estrada
|image = Estradafielding2023profile.jpg
|width = 230
|caption = Estrada with the Giants in 2023
|team = Colorado Rockies
|number = 39
|position = Second baseman
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1996|2|22}}
|birth_place = Bejuma, Venezuela
|bats = Right
|throws = Right
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate = April 21
|debutyear = 2019
|debutteam = New York Yankees
|statleague = MLB
|statyear = 2024 season
|stat1label = Batting average
|stat1value = .251
|stat2label = Home runs
|stat2value = 48
|stat3label = Runs batted in
|stat3value = 195
|teams =
- New York Yankees ({{mlby|2019}}–{{mlby|2020}})
- San Francisco Giants ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2024}})
}}
Thairo Jose Estrada Villegas (born February 22, 1996) is a Venezuelan professional baseball second baseman for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants.
Estrada signed with the Yankees as an international free agent in 2012. He was shot in early 2018 by robbers, with his recovery delaying the start of his season, in which he played with a bullet still lodged in his hip. He made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Yankees.
Early life
Professional career
=New York Yankees (2012-2020)=
==Minor leagues==
Estrada signed with the New York Yankees as an international free agent on August 2, 2012 for a signing bonus of $49,000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pinstripedprospects.com/player/thairo-estrada/|title=Thairo Estrada}} He made his professional debut in 2013 with the Rookie League Gulf Coast Yankees, and spent the whole season there, batting .278/.350/.432 with five triples, two home runs, 8 hit by pitch, and 17 runs batted in (RBI) in 176 at bats over 50 games. The 17-year-old was one of the youngest players in the Gulf Coast League, 2.6 years younger than the average player in the league.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=estrad000tha|title=Thairo Estrada Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Baseball America rated him the 20th-best player in the league.{{Cite web|url=http://riveraveblues.com/2018/01/prospect-profile-thairo-estrada-165221/|title=Prospect Profile: Thairo Estrada|date=January 23, 2018}}
Estrada played 2014 with the Gulf Coast Yankees and the Low–A Staten Island Yankees (and was 3 years younger than the average New York-Pennsylvania League player). Estrada batted a combined .272/.337/.309 in 81 at–bats over 23 games, with his season cut short by a leg injury he suffered while running the bases in July.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/thairo-estrada-642731|title=Thairo Estrada Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com}}
Estrada played in 2015 with Staten Island. He slashed .267/.338/.360 with two home runs and 23 RBI in 247 at–bats over 63 games, and was named a New York-Pennsylvania League Mid-Season All Star.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/thairo-estrada-642731|title=Thairo Estrada Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MiLB.com}}
Estrada then played in 2016 for the Single–A Charleston RiverDogs of the South Atlantic League and the High–A Tampa Yankees of the Florida State League (where Estrada was 2.8 years younger than the average player in the league). He batted a combined .290/.346/.391 with eight home runs, 49 RBI, and a career-high 18 stolen bases in 495 at–bats over 118 total games between the two affiliates, and was named an MiLB Organization All Star.
Estrada spent 2017 with the Double–A Trenton Thunder, and was 3.2 years younger than the average player in the Eastern League.{{cite web|last=Miller |first=Sean |url=http://www.nj.com/thunder/2017/05/thiaro_estrada_sets_the_table.html |title=Thairo Estrada sets the table for the Trenton Thunder |publisher=NJ.com |date=May 24, 2017 |access-date=September 13, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.trentonian.com/sports/20170628/four-thunder-players-make-2017-eastern-league-all-star-game |title=Four Thunder players make 2017 Eastern League All Star Game |work=Trentonian|author=Greg Johnson|date=June 28, 2017 |access-date=September 13, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.el-carabobeno.com/thairo-estrada-acumula-16-juegos-seguidos-embasandose/|title=Thairo Estrada acumula 16 juegos seguidos embasándose |work=El Carabobeño|language=Spanish|date=June 2, 2017|access-date=August 9, 2018}} He batted .301(6th in the Eastern League)/.353/.392 with 72 runs (3rd), four triples (7th), six home runs, nine hit-by-pitch (6th), and 48 RBI in 495 at–bats over 122 games, with a low strikeout rate of 10.3%.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=642731#/career/R/hitting/2018/ALL|title=Thairo Estrada Stats, Highlights, Bio |publisher=MiLB.com|access-date=May 1, 2018}} At 21 years and two months of age, he was the 7th-youngest player to make a 2017 Eastern League Opening Day roster. He was named an Eastern League Mid-Season All Star and Post-Season All Star, and an MiLB Organization All Star.
On November 20, 2017, the Yankees added Estrada to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He then played for the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League, batting .342/.381/.430 in 79 at–bats.{{cite web|last=King |first=George A. |url=https://nypost.com/2017/11/20/yankees-scramble-to-keep-top-rated-farm-system-together/ |title=Yankees scramble to keep top-rated farm system together |work=The New York Post |date=November 20, 2017 |access-date=November 26, 2017}}{{cite web|last=Cohen |first=Perry |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-thairo-estrada-hits-first-afl-homer-c259574688 |title=Yankees' Thairo Estrada hits first AFL homer |work=MLB.com |date=October 24, 2017 |access-date=April 4, 2019}} He was named to the AFL All-Prospect Team, and named an AFL Rising Star. Baseball America rated him the Yankees' # 9 prospect. MLB.com rated him the Yankees' # 8 prospect, and assessed his defense as follows: "there's no question that Estrada is a big league shortstop. He covers a lot of ground thanks to his smooth actions and keen instincts, and he has the plus arm to make all of the throws. He's also an asset at second and third base, and he's athletic enough to handle the outfield if asked."{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2018/06/it_just_gets_worse_for_yankees_prospect_who_got_sh.html|title=It just gets worse for Yankees prospect who got shot|author=Brendan Kuty|date=June 20, 2018|website=nj}}
In January 2018, while in his hometown in Venezuela, Estrada was shot in his right hip by robbers in a robbery attempt.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/new-york-yankees-say-prospect-thairo-estrada-ok-after-gunshot-wound/c-266586590 |title=Yanks' Estrada recovering from gunshot wound |publisher=MiLB.com |date=February 16, 2018 |access-date=November 19, 2018}} Doctors in Venezuela who performed surgery upon him were unable to remove the bullet from his hip, but he was cleared to play with the small caliber bullet lodged in his hip; it was only removed in July six months later, in the United States.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/sports/baseball/yankees-thairo-estrada.html|title=Shot in a Robbery Attempt, Yankees Prospect Recovers at Spring Training|first=Billy|last=Witz|date=February 17, 2018|work=The New York Times}}{{Cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/636783/2018/11/06/after-successful-surgery-to-remove-bullet-from-his-hip-yankees-hope-infield-prospect-thairo-estrada-can-get-back-to-speed-in-fall-league/|title=After successful surgery to remove bullet, Yankees hope infield prospect Thairo Estrada can get back to speed in Fall League|first=Lindsey|last=Adler|website=The Athletic}}
After a delayed start to his season as he missed spring training, Estrada suffered a season-ending lower back injury in June 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2018/05/as_if_getting_shot_wasnt_bad_enough_for_yankees_pr.html|title=As if getting shot wasn't bad enough for this Yankees prospect ...|first=Brendan|last=Kuty|date=May 2, 2018|website=nj.com|access-date=April 4, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2018/06/it_just_gets_worse_for_yankees_prospect_who_got_sh.html|title=It just gets worse for Yankees prospect who got shot|first=Brendan|last=Kuty|date=June 20, 2018|website=nj.com|access-date=April 4, 2019}} He played in 18 regular season games in the minor leagues for Tampa and the Triple–A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the International League (where he was 4.5 years younger than the average player) combined, batting .192/.210/.231 in 78 at–bats. Estrada played for the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League after the regular season, batting .238/.282/.263 in 80 at–bats.{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2018/10/scouting_reports_on_yankees_in_arizona_fall_league.html|title=Scouting reports on Yankees in Arizona Fall League – How Estevan Florial, Thairo Estrada are doing|first=Randy|last=Miller|date=October 24, 2018|website=nj.com|access-date=April 4, 2019}}
==Major leagues==
File:Thairo Estrada talk about his first career home run (2).jpg
The Yankees promoted Estrada to the major leagues on April 4, 2019, but optioned him back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on April 6 without Estrada appearing in a major league game.{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2019/04/yankees-troy-tulowitzki-no-11-on-injured-list-thairo-estrada-called-up-what-it-means.html|title=Yankees' Troy Tulowitzki No. 11 on injured list; Thairo Estrada called up – What it means|first=Randy|last=Miller|date=April 4, 2019|website=nj.com|access-date=April 4, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/yankees/2019/04/06/new-york-yankees-giovanny-urshela-thairo-estrada/3377530002/|title=Yankees call up Giovanny Urshela, planning to play him a lot at third base|first=Pete|last=Caldera|website=North Jersey Media Group}} He was again promoted to the Yankees on April 21, and made his major league debut that day. He laid down a sacrifice bunt that set up a walk-off single by Austin Romine.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-royals-1.30090386 |title=Bullpen wastes James Paxton's gem before Austin Romine wins it in 10th |publisher=Newsday |date=April 22, 2019 |accessdate=June 11, 2021}} He recorded his first two major league hits on April 23.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mike-ford-hits-first-career-home-run|title='Every kid's dream': Ford hits 1st HR with Yanks|website=MLB.com}} In 64 at bats for the Yankees he batted .250/.294/.438. For the Yankees he played 17 games at second base, 9 at shortstop, and 2 each in left field and right field. In Triple-A, he batted .266/.313/.452 with 8 home runs in 241 at-bats, playing 33 games at shortstop, 24 at second base, and 2 at third base.
In his minor league career through 2019, Estrada had played 225 games at shortstop, 161 games at second base, and 52 games at third base.
In 2020 for the Yankees, Estrada batted .167/.231/.229 with one home run and three RBI in 48 at bats across 26 games, playing 20 games at second base, 6 games at third base, and 3 games at shortstop.{{cite web|url=https://www.pinstripealley.com/2020/11/11/21558921/yankees-mlb-season-in-review-report-cards-thairo-estrada-tyler-wade-dj-lemahieu-gleyber-torres|title=Yankees 2020 Roster Report Cards: Thairo Estrada|first=Joshua|last=Diemert|date=November 11, 2020|website=Pinstripe Alley}}
On April 6, 2021, Estrada was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Rougned Odor.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/04/yankees-designate-thairo-estrada-for-assignment.html|title=Yankees Designate Thairo Estrada For Assignment|website=MLB Trade Rumors}}
=San Francisco Giants (2021–2024)=
On April 11, 2021, the Yankees traded Estrada to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for cash considerations.{{cite web|last=Guardado|first=Maria|title=Notes: Estrada acquired; Moronta to IL|url=https://www.mlb.com/giants/news/thairo-estrada-acquired-by-giants-from-yankees|website=MLB.com|date=April 11, 2021|access-date=April 11, 2021}} Estrada played first for the Sacramento River Cats of the Triple-A West, and batted .385 (4th in the league at the time of his call-up)/.448(9th)/.609 with 12 doubles (10th) in 156 at bats, while striking out only 14% of the time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/06/30/why-sf-giants-should-see-what-they-have-inside-organization-before-pursuing-trades|title=Why SF Giants should look for help from Triple-A before pursuing trades|date=June 30, 2021|work=Mercury News}} He played 26 games at shortstop, seven at second base, two at third base, and one in left field.
He was called up to the Giants on June 6, following an injury to third baseman Evan Longoria who had collided with shortstop Brandon Crawford.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31578348/san-francisco-giants-evan-longoria-4-6-weeks-shoulder-sprain-collision-brandon-crawford|title=Giants 3B Longoria out 4–6 weeks after collision|date=June 6, 2021|website=ESPN}} In Estrada's debut with the Giants on July 2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he went 3–for-5 with five RBIs, a double, and a grand slam. Crawford's oblique injury in July shifted Estrada to start at shortstop in his place.
In the 2021 regular season for the Giants, Estrada batted .273/.333/.479 with seven home runs and 22 RBIs in 121 at bats. He played 19 games at shortstop, 16 games at second base, four games at third base, four games in left field, and one game in right field.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/estrath01.shtml|title=Thairo Estrada Stats|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} At Triple–A Sacramento, he batted .333/.399/.538 with nine home runs and 40 RBI in 210 at–bats.
In 2022 Estrada batted .260/.322/.402 with 71 runs, 14 home runs, 62 RBI, 21 stolen bases (7th in the NL) in 27 attempts, 5.5 at bats per strikeout (8th), and 14 hit by pitch (7th), and had the fastest sprint speed of all Giants players, at 28.3 feet per second.{{Cite web|url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/sprint_speed?min_season=2022&max_season=2022&position=&team=SF&min=25&sort=7&sortDir=desc|title=Statcast Sprint Speed Leaderboard|website=baseballsavant.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/estrath01.shtml|title=Thairo Estrada Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} On defense he had a range factor/9Inn at 2B of 4.22 (3rd).
On January 13, 2023, Estrada agreed to a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Giants for the 2023 season, avoiding salary arbitration.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/01/2023-mlb-arbitration-tracker.html|title=2023 MLB Arbitration Tracker|access-date=January 13, 2023|website=MLBTradeRumors}} In 120 games for the Giants, he slashed .271/.315/.416 with 14 home runs, 49 RBI, and 23 stolen bases.{{Cite web|title=Thairo Estrada - 2023 Batting Game Logs|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/thairo-estrada/16426/game-log?type=1&gds=&gde=&season=2023&position=2B|access-date=September 19, 2024|website=fangraphs.com|language=en}}
Estrada played in 96 games for San Francisco in 2024, slashing .217/.247/.343 with nine home runs and 47 RBI. On August 30, 2024, Estrada was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Sacramento.{{Cite web|title=Giants Outright Thairo Estrada, Release Tyler Matzek|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/giants-outright-thairo-estrada-release-tyler-matzek.html|access-date=August 30, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He elected free agency on October 1.https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-10-01
=Colorado Rockies (2025–present)=
On January 9, 2025, Estrada signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract with the Colorado Rockies that included a 2026 mutual option.{{cite news |last1=Harding |first1=Thomas |title=Rockies, INF Estrada agree to 1-year pact with '26 option |url=https://www.mlb.com/rockies/news/thairo-estrada-contract-with-rockies |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=MLB.com |date=9 January 2025}}
Personal life
In January 2018, Estrada was shot in his right hip/thigh by a pair of teenagers in a robbery attempt in his hometown of Bejuma in Venezuela, while he and his wife were in a cafe and he was at the counter.{{Cite web |last=Hoch |first=Bryan |date=February 16, 2018 |title=Yankees' Thairo Estrada sustains gunshot wound |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-thairo-estrada-sustains-gunshot-wound-c266587542 |access-date=August 9, 2024 |website=MLB.com}} The bullet was not removed until six months later, in July 2018 in a hospital in Tampa, Florida.{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2019/02/yankees-prospect-who-got-shot-details-finally-getting-bullet-removed-6-months-later.html|title=Yankees prospect who got shot: Why I waited 6 months to get bullet out|author=Brendan Kuty |date=February 21, 2019|website=nj}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2018/02/how_yankees_prospect_thairo_estrada_got_shot_in_bo.html|title=How Yanks prospect Estrada got shot in botched robbery|author=Brendan Kuty|date=February 16, 2018|website=nj}} He said, "The situation [in Venezuela] is not very good, not very safe... it makes you think about [not] even going back anymore."
Estrada married Lorena Cardenas on September 19, 2017. His daughter was born on January 5, 2019. He already had a son from a previous relationship. {{cite web|url=https://playerswiki.com/thairo-estrada|title=Thairo Estrada|website=}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{baseballstats|mlb=642731|espn=36485|br=e/estrath01|fangraphs=16426|brm=estrad000tha|retro=E/Pestrt001}}
- {{instagram|thairo22estrada}}
{{Colorado Rockies roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Estrada, Thairo}}
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