J.C. Escarra

J.C. Escarra
New York Yankees
Catcher / Infielder
Born: (1995-04-24) April 24, 1995 (age 29)
Hialeah, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right

Juan Carlos Escarra (born April 24, 1995) is an American professional baseball catcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball.

Early life and amateur career

Escarra's mother left Cuba for the United States in the Mariel boatlift as a child.[1][2] His father also left Cuba as a child, settling in New York before meeting his mother as an adult.[1][2] Escarra was born in Hialeah, Florida. He attended Mater Academy Charter School in Hialeah Gardens.[3]

The New York Mets selected Escarra in the 32nd round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft, but he chose to attend Florida International University (FIU), where he played college baseball for the FIU Panthers.[3] as a catcher and a first baseman.[4] He played collegiate summer baseball for the Staunton Braves of the Valley Baseball League in 2014 and for the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2015.[2]

Professional career

The Baltimore Orioles selected Escarra in the 15th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. The Orioles only played him at first base and after he struggled with his hitting, the Orioles released Escarra after the 2021 season.[4]

In 2022, Escarra played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association, an independent baseball league, as a catcher. In 2023, he played for the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He also played in Mexican and Puerto Rican leagues.[4]

The Yankees signed Escarra to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training before the 2024 season.[5] He played for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple–A International League as a utility player.[6] The Yankees added him to their 40-man roster after the 2024 season.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b "J.C Escarra: "Soy Yanquista como mi padre"". MLB.com.
  2. ^ a b c News-Record, DAVID DRIVER Daily (May 26, 2021). "Valley Alum Grew Up In Baseball-Rich Miami". Daily News-Record.
  3. ^ a b Ebro, Jorge (February 8, 2024). "'I am a fighter, as my Cuban parents raised me': Hialeah player finds his way again in Caribbean". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "J.C. Escarra: Catching On". MiLB.com.
  5. ^ Phillips, Gary (March 17, 2024). "Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra living out a childhood dream after an assist from Nestor Cortes". New York Daily News.
  6. ^ "RAILRIDERS: Escarra's versatility as plus". July 29, 2024.
  7. ^ "Yankees add RHP Yerry De Los Santos, catcher J.C. Escarra and outfielder Taylor Trammell to roster". yesnetwork.com.