Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
Signed for $49,000 out of Venezuela in 2012, Estrada finally had a breakthrough season five years later, when he challenged for the Double-A Eastern League batting title, hit .407 in the EL playoffs and ranked as the Arizona Fall League's best shortstop prospect. But 2018 became a lost year after he was shot in the right hip during a robbery attempt in Venezuela in January. He played in just 18 games before getting shut down with a back injury, then wasn't as dynamic in his return to the AFL.
Estrada's best asset is his defensive versatility, which could lead to a utility role in New York. He's a legitimate shortstop with the actions, instincts and arm to make all the plays. He also has looked more than capable during stints at second and third base, and he has the athleticism to play the outfield in needed.
Though Estrada has controlled the strike zone and made repeated line-drive contact throughout his career, he doesn't have a lot of offensive upside. He doesn't provide much power with his flat right-handed stroke and rarely walks because he puts the ball in play so easily. He has solid speed but doesn't show much aptitude for basestealing. Statcast - Batting Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2019 227 50 2 4.0 87.7 6.4 .267 .424 .308 .310 .373 40.0 21.7 4.3 ALL 227 50 2 4.0 87.7 6.4 .267 .424 .308 .310 .373 40.0 21.7 4.3 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 10/20/2019 New York Yankees activated 2B Thairo Estrada. 10/04/2019 New York Yankees reassigned 2B Thairo Estrada to the minor leagues. 09/08/2019 New York Yankees activated 2B Thairo Estrada. 09/07/2019 New York Yankees sent 2B Thairo Estrada on a rehab assignment to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. 09/06/2019 New York Yankees sent 2B Thairo Estrada on a rehab assignment to Trenton Thunder. 08/18/2019 New York Yankees activated 2B Thairo Estrada. 08/18/2019 New York Yankees placed 2B Thairo Estrada on the 10-day injured list. Right hamstring strain. 08/14/2019 New York Yankees recalled 2B Thairo Estrada from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. 07/01/2019 New York Yankees optioned 2B Thairo Estrada to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. 06/29/2019 New York Yankees recalled Thairo Estrada from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. 06/07/2019 New York Yankees optioned 2B Thairo Estrada to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. 04/21/2019 New York Yankees recalled Thairo Estrada from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. 04/06/2019 New York Yankees optioned SS Thairo Estrada to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. 04/04/2019 New York Yankees recalled Thairo Estrada from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. 03/13/2019 New York Yankees optioned SS Thairo Estrada to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. 10/10/2018 New York Yankees recalled Thairo Estrada from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. 09/24/2018 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders activated SS Thairo Estrada from the 7-day disabled list. 05/09/2018 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders placed SS Thairo Estrada on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to May 8, 2018. 04/30/2018 SS Thairo Estrada assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders from Tampa Tarpons. 04/18/2018 SS Thairo Estrada assigned to Tampa Tarpons from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. 04/06/2018 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders placed SS Thairo Estrada on the 7-day disabled list. 04/04/2018 SS Thairo Estrada assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders from Trenton Thunder. 03/28/2018 New York Yankees optioned SS Thairo Estrada to Trenton Thunder. 11/20/2017 New York Yankees selected the contract of Thairo Estrada from Trenton Thunder. 04/03/2017 SS Thairo Estrada assigned to Trenton Thunder from Tampa Yankees. 02/27/2017 2B Thairo Estrada assigned to New York Yankees. 05/23/2016 2B Thairo Estrada assigned to Tampa Yankees from Charleston RiverDogs. 04/06/2016 SS Thairo Estrada assigned to Charleston RiverDogs from Staten Island Yankees. 09/28/2015 SS Thairo Estrada assigned to Bravos de Margarita. 06/19/2015 SS Thairo Estrada assigned to Staten Island Yankees from GCL Yankees1. 08/20/2014 SS Thairo Estrada assigned to GCL Yankees1 from Staten Island Yankees. 06/12/2014 SS Thairo Estrada assigned to Staten Island Yankees from GCL Yankees2. 08/02/2012 New York Yankees signed free agent SS Thairo Estrada to a minor league contract.
