On this day in 1983, Marco Estrada was born in Sonora, Mexico. He was 21 years old when the Nationals drafted him in the sixth round (174th overall pick) in the 2005 draft. The Brewers had the next pick and drafted pitcher Steve Hammond, Estrada's Long Beach State University teammate. Hammond reached AAA in 2008 (with the Brewers) and 2009 (with the Giants), but never appeared in the majors.
Estrada, meanwhile, pitched five seasons in the minors with the Nationals and climbed the ladder, eventually being called up to the majors in 2008 after posting a 3.09 ERA in 25 appearances between AA and AAA. He spent parts of the next two seasons as a National, and had a 7.20 ERA in 15 appearances.
The Brewers claimed him off waivers from the Nationals following the 2009 season, and Estrada has since made 30 appearances for Milwaukee. He's probably the most unlikely member of the 2011 team: He made his 23rd appearance last night despite the fact that he wasn't even invited to major league spring training.
Estrada turns 28 today.