PDHS pitcher Jeremiah Estrada drafted by Cubs in 6th round
The fall finally stopped in the 6th round for Aztecs’ ace pitcher Jeremiah Estrada who was selected by the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs 195th overall in the 2017 MLB Draft.
Estrada finished his senior season at Palm Desert just short of a CIF-SS championship but led PD to another DVL title. He dominated the DVL and opposing high school hitters throughout his prep career using a plus fastball (89-94 mph), an effective change-up and useful slider. The 6’1, 175 pound right hander is a little undersized for a pitcher but scouts like his athleticism and fluid delivery.
Per MLB.com:
Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 45
“If one was to base Estrada’s Draft status on his summer showcase performance, he’d be approaching the top group of high school right-handers in the country. Looking at how he’s pitched this spring, however, could lead an evaluator to leave him off of the Top 100 completely.
Over the summer, Estrada showed electric stuff from his slightly under-sized frame, starting with a fastball that was 93-95 mph. This spring, he’s been topping out at 92 mph and often sitting in the upper-80s. He showed one of the best changeups in the country last summer, but hasn’t been throwing it much this spring. And he’s lost sharpness in his breaking ball as well, a pitch that flashed plus at times and was up into the mid-80s but this spring has come in closer to 80 mph.
Estrada seemed to pitch with a chip on his shoulder last summer and he used that to his benefit. To some evaluators, he’s lost that edge, so any team considering him in the early rounds will be doing so based on the right-hander they saw over the summer. Seeing him head to UCLA for college seems a distinct possibility at this point.”
The PD standout began his senior season already committed to UCLA to pitch for the Bruins and John Savage. He has the option to forego his college commitment and turn professional if he chooses to sign with the Cubs.
Stay with KESQ/CBS Local 2 for the latest as this story develops.
