In loads of methods, the journey from then to now has been not possible to calculate for J.C. Escarra. Untold numbers of hours grinding regardless of little proof his dream would ever be realized.
1000’s of miles traveled as he bounced from the Orioles’ farm system to numerous unbiased league groups to stops within the Mexican, Puerto Rican and Dominican winter leagues.
On Thursday, the distinction between then and now could possibly be measured by a number of toes: The previous Uber driver was not within the driver’s seat, entering into the again seat of an Uber Black SUV that introduced him from his resort in Manhattan to his new administrative center in The Bronx.
After taking management of his personal profession and refusing to permit it to die, he might calm down his grip on the literal steering wheel.
“When I was driving Uber, I had no idea the people that were getting in my car,” Escarra stated earlier than Opening Day in opposition to the Brewers, his first sport as a significant leaguer. “I used to be simply excited about whoever the driving force was, he has a Main League Baseball participant for the New York Yankees sitting in his automobile.
“It was a pretty good moment.”
The journey got here full circle for the very best story across the Yankees, whose story has gone viral.
Out of affiliated baseball following the 2021 season with the Orioles, with whom he was a primary baseman, Escarra strapped again on his catching gear and performed for relative pennies — which pressured him to make {dollars} via driving for Uber and substitute educating to pay for a mortgage on an residence for him and his spouse in Miami.
As a sub at Doral Academy Constitution Excessive Faculty, Escarra taught all types of topics — artwork, music, bodily training (his favourite) — and would fill in wherever wanted as a result of a trainer was absent.
In early 2023, when scouts had been descending upon the varsity to get appears to be like at eventual Rays first-round choose Adrian Santana, Escarra would stroll by the sector after class to introduce himself.
“I would go one by one: ‘Hey, you need a left-handed hitting catcher, I’m your guy,’” Escarra would say. “But none of those guys ended up signing me.”
It was the Yankees and scout Raul Gonzalez who signed Escarra out of indy ball in January 2024, despatched him to Double-A Somerset and watched him earn a promotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
After a robust 2024 marketing campaign and a standout spring coaching, he earned a visit to the majors as a backup catcher — and an Uber journey that he didn’t must drive.
“It’s a dream come true,” Escarra stated. “There was a time in my life that I thought I wasn’t going to be playing baseball anymore. To wake up this morning as a Major League Baseball player, especially for the New York Yankees, it means the world to me.”
