JC Escarra is on the verge of making the big leagues, last year the Cuban-American catcher was on the Yankees taxi squad for the postseason. Although he did not make his MLB debut during the playoffs the versatile native of Hialeah, Florida is on a short list to be called up this season.
During the winter Escarra has been one of the key pieces of an Águilas Cibaeñas resurgence after a slow start to the season. With his cannon arm and timely hitting Escarra has been a thorn in the side of the Tigres del Licey this season. Although he is scheduled to leave in December the slugger has made his mark in the league this year.
Look for Escarra to parlay his experience with the Águilas into a strong spring training with the Bronx Bombers this season and do not be surprised if he breaks camp with the ballclub. After a year of redemption for the talented son of Cuban immigrants, the sky is the limit. Below are excerps from an Interview with José Albert Acosta Meran of Roberto Cavada Noticias.
Define your experience with Águilas Cibaeñas in the LIDOM this season.
Incredible to be here with the Águilas. Thank God for the opportunity he gave me. I am surprised by the fans here in the Dominican Republic, it is something that I will take with me for life. Thankful to God for being able to play here this winter.
Tell us about the Águilas-Licey rivalry.
Incredible, I remember the first game I was shaking there while batting, but it went away. It is always a hassle to play against Licey, but thank God we are playing well against them.
We’ve seen how you execute each at-bat. How has Dominican baseball helped you carry out that work?
It has helped me a lot. Here you can see everything, you can see the hard fastball, you can see good breaking pitches… in short, a little bit of everything.
I’m sure this opportunity to play here in the Dominican Republic will help me this year with the Yankees.Until when will you be with the Águilas Cibaeñas?
For now I’m leaving on the 15th, but you know how it is: everything can change. Let’s see if they give me a little more, but for now the date I leave is the 15th.
Would you request an extension or would management, how does that work?
A little bit of everything, I have to talk to the Yankees to see if they give me the chance to play a little more. When I arrived it was for the entire season, but things change.