J.C. Escarra’s performance with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in Triple-A last year earned him a spot on the New York Yankees’ 40-player roster for the 2025 season. Escarra began 2024 with the Somerset Patriots, Double A affiliate of the Bronx Bombers. There he played 72 games, hitting .233 with 18 doubles, three triples and four homers. He drove in 30 runs and scored 41 on the season.
To close the campaign he was called to the RailRiders, where he performed at a high level hitting .302 , with 22 hits with more extra-base hits (14-2B; 8 HR). He also knocked in 34 runs and scores 36 more times. He walked 27 times and sported on-base plus slugging average of .930.
The Cuban-American also saw action in the winter season with Águilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican Winter League. Escarra hit a league leading.363. In 35 games played, he drove in 14 runs and scored 22. He also added 3 homers and 13 doubles. The slugger also slashed .467/.558/1.025 and was named to the LIDOM All-Star team.
You are part of the Yankees’ 40-man roster, how does that make you feel?
In two years many things have changed in my life. A team released me, I went through the independent league, through Mexico and other winter leagues. Thank God I went through all that, because it gave me the opportunity to be where I am today. I am part of the Yankees’ 40-man roster and with an opportunity to start with them and show what I can do in the Major Leagues. I am proud to play with the Yankees, to wear the jersey of this historic team. This is my dad’s favorite team, who lived in New York when he came from Cuba. So it gives me great pride to play here.
How did you feel the moment Baltimore let you go?
Iit was one of the most difficult things I have gone through in my life. I have been playing ball since I was three years old, it is what I know how to do and what I love in my heart. So when the team told me that I was not going to be able to play in the Major Leagues with them, it hurt me a lot. But I didn’t give up. I kept going and other doors opened.
Your journey took you to Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
That helped me a lot. A blessing that those doors were opened, like in Puerto Rico, to play in the Caribbean Series and have a leader like Yadier Molina. All of that combined gave me the opportunity to sign with the Yankees and show that I can be a catcher and that I can hit. My performance at Triple A gave me the opportunity to make the Yankees’ 40-man roster.
What do you get from your time at the Águilas?
It was incredible to play in the Dominican League. It was everything I expected: the fans, the atmosphere and the talent. Playing there taught me a lot. I learned things there that are going to help me and that I am going to take with me going into the season.
What would it mean to be on the big team on Opening Day?
I’m going to cry all at once, because my story is different from everyone else’s. A lot of people can’t say they went through what I went through. Many people give up right there when they are released and go home, without a job. They don’t know how they are going to pay the bills. God in my heart told me to continue. Keep going and look where we are.
In all that time you had to work, you did UBER, what kept you going?
Trust in myself and in God that doors were going to open. Everyone knows that you have to work hard, but sometimes you work hard and the doors don’t open. But thanks to people around me I was able to achieve it.