Johnny Estrada

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Johnny Pulado Estrada III (born June 27, 1976 in Hayward, California), is a Major League Baseball player. Estrada, a right-handed thrower, plays as a catcher and is a switch hitter.

He was selected in the 17th round of the June 1997 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. His major league career started in 2001 with the Philadelphia Phillies after an injury to the regular starting catcher, Mike Lieberthal. In 2002 he became a part time player. Estrada was acquired by the Atlanta Braves from the Philadelphia Phillies in December 2002 for Kevin Millwood in a move that was said to be finacially motivated, since Atlanta couldn't pay Millwood's salary. During the 2003 season Estrada spent most of the year in Atlanta on AAA team, the Richmond Braves. After Javy López left due to free agency, Estrada became Atlanta's starting catcher in 2004. He hit .314 with 9 home runs and 76 RBIs. Estrada also made the All-Star team and helped Atlanta win their 13th division title in a row. After a slightly disappointing 2005 season, Estrada was traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitchers Lance Cormier and Óscar Villarreal on December 7, 2005.

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