J.C. Escarra is officially a New York Yankee!
The 29-year-old catcher, who juggled gigs as a substitute teacher and Uber driver while grinding through the Yankees’ minor league system, got the life-changing news on Sunday, March 23—he made the major league roster.
Escarra received the exciting update in a one-on-one meeting with Yankees manager Aaron Boone, a moment later shared in a heartwarming video on the team’s Instagram. But the most touching part came afterward when Escarra called his mother to break the news.
“We’re going to New York!” he exclaimed over the phone as his mother erupted in joy.
“The dream came true!”
Escarra’s mother, overwhelmed with emotion, could hardly believe it. “I can’t believe it, my love!” she shrieked as her son fought back tears.
“We did it,” Escarra told her, his voice shaking with emotion, before turning to the camera with a massive smile.
The emotional moment continued online, with Escarra later commenting on Instagram: “Still crying.”
Hard Work Pays Off
During their meeting, Boone made it clear that Escarra had earned his spot. “You worked for this,” Boone told him. “I can’t wait to see you out there.” Overcome with joy, Escarra jumped up and hugged his new skipper.
And he truly did earn it. Escarra had an outstanding spring training, ranking second on the team with 16 hits, knocking in eight RBIs, and posting a stellar .333 batting average. Behind the plate, he was just as solid, maintaining a perfect fielding percentage over 17 games.
From Uber Driver to Yankee
Escarra’s journey to the big leagues wasn’t easy. Speaking with MLB.com, he revealed that he drove for Uber to keep his dream alive, scraping by while navigating the unpredictable minor league system.
“I had just gotten married and bought an apartment with my wife, Jocelyn,” he shared. “I had bills to pay, and I wasn’t going to let anyone take my home from me. So I did whatever it took.”
Now, his persistence has paid off. Escarra and the Yankees will kick off the 2025 MLB season on Thursday, March 27, when they face the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day.
See video below of J.C. being told he has made it to team Yankees and he calls his mom, right away!
More about J.C.
J.C. Escarra’s journey is deeply rooted in his family’s pursuit of the American dream. His mother fled Cuba as a child during the Mariel boatlift, while his father also left the island at a young age, eventually settling in New York. The two later met as adults and built a life together, raising Escarra in Hialeah, Florida.
Growing up, Escarra attended Mater Academy Charter School in Hialeah Gardens, where he developed his passion for baseball. His talent on the field caught the attention of Major League scouts, and in 2013, the New York Mets selected him in the 32nd round of the MLB Draft. However, instead of signing, Escarra opted to continue his education and refine his skills at Florida International University (FIU), where he played for the FIU Panthers as both a catcher and first baseman.
During his college years, Escarra gained valuable experience in summer leagues, playing for the Staunton Braves in the Valley Baseball League in 2014 and the Brewster Whitecaps in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League in 2015. These experiences helped shape him into the player he is today, setting the stage for his eventual rise to the major leagues. Escarra and his wife, Jocelyn, married in October 2022.
