Until last season, Estrada had muddled through his minor league career with the Brewers. But 2000 was a breakthrough year as he pitched Indianapolis to the Triple-A World Series crown and emerged as a possible starter in Milwaukee this season. Estrada throws a fastball, curveball and changeup. He's at his best when he's moving the ball around, inside and out, up and down. With a good move to first, he's difficult to run on, and he fields his position well. Estrada is a painter, which means he has to hit his spots to be effective. His mid- to high-80s fastball isn't quite average, so he can't make mistakes up in the strike zone without consequences. To be successful, he has to get his curveball over when behind in the count. Estrada could give the Milwaukee rotation the lefthander it lacked in 2000. He'll get every chance to make the club in spring training.
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