Ex-Cubs reliever fires bold statement at coaching staff

In a recent publication by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune, former Cubs reliever Jeremiah Estrada spoke out about his time with Chicago following the two teams concluding a series in San Diego. Estrada, who was drafted in the sixth round by Chicago during the 2017 MLB draft and released by the team following the 2022 season, said “A lot of the Cubs staff, I have so much love for. They were great to me. There are just some specific people I can never forget what they did.”

Estrada did not elaborate beyond those comments, but his frustration with some of the staff likely goes back to his pitch arsenal and usage when with the team. In two years with Chicago, Estrada threw fastballs between 75-84% of the time and his changeup was used 2% of the time or less.

The Chicago Cubs pushed fastballs and neglected Jeremiah Estrada’s changeup

An electric fastball has always been Estrada’s trademark, but he’s long believed his changeup was an underrated part of his arsenal. Unfortunately, the Cubs didn’t share that confidence and they heavily emphasized his fastball. According to Dennis Linn at The Athletic, in May of 2023, 38 of Estrada’s 39 thrown pitches were heaters, that included a stretch of 24 straight fastballs called by catcher Yan Gomes.

Additionally, Chicago tried to teach Estrada a new changeup. He didn’t get much time to tinker with the pitch before it was being called in games, and he was confused on as to if he should be throwing the changeup he’d always thrown or the new one he was supposed to be throwing.

With the Padres, Estrada has relied on his changeup just a hair under 20% of the time and his fastball usage is between 56-64%. The 26 year old is also having success, as over the last two seasons he has a 2.65 ERA across 71.1 innings pitched, 108 strikeouts, and 22 holds.

As Estrada continues to shine in San Diego, the former Cubs reliever is proving that a change of scenery and coaches made all the difference for him.  He’s also not holding back when making that public knowledge.