J.C. Escarra
| J.C. Escarra | |
|---|---|
| New York Yankees | |
| Catcher / Infielder | |
| Born: April 24, 1995 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 (MLB).
Early life and amateur career
[edit]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
[edit]Baltimore Orioles
[edit]Escarra was selected in the 15th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft by the Baltimore Orioles.[4] The Orioles only played him at first base and after he struggled with his hitting, the Orioles released Escarra after the 2021 season.[4]
Kansas City Monarchs
[edit]In April 2022, Escarra signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association, where he mostly played catcher.[5][4] On the season, he hit .291 with 12 home runs in 70 games.[6] Following the season, Escarra played for the Leones de Ponce of the Puerto Rican Winter League.[4]
Gastonia Honey Hunters
[edit]Unsigned after the start of Spring Training in 2023, Escarra joined the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball on April 13, 2023.[6] In 41 games with Gastonia, Escarra hit .348 with 15 home runs in just 41 contests.
Toros de Tijuana
[edit]On June 20, 2023, Escarra's contract was purchased by the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican Baseball League.[4] Over 21 games, he slashed .329/.421/.610.
Algodoneros de Unión Laguna
[edit]On July 14, 2023, Escarra was traded to the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna.[6] He hit .263 in 21 contests with his new club. Following the season, Escarra played in the Mexican Pacific League for the Algodoneros de Guasave, before once again playing for Ponce later in the offseason. In February of 2024, he played for Puerto Rico's representative at the 2024 Caribbean Series, the Criollos de Caguas.
New York Yankees
[edit]The Yankees signed Escarra to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training before the 2024 season.[7] He started the season for the Somerset Patriots of the Double-A Eastern League, before being promoted to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple-A International League in July.[8] The Yankees added him to their 40-man roster after the 2024 season.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "J.C Escarra: "Soy Yanquista como mi padre"". MLB.com.
- ^ a b c News-Record, DAVID DRIVER Daily (May 26, 2021). "Valley Alum Grew Up In Baseball-Rich Miami". Daily News-Record.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e f "J.C. Escarra: Catching On". MiLB.com.
- ^ "J.C. TO KC". Kansas City Monarchs. Kansas City Monarchs. April 7, 2022. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c New York Yankees 2024 Media Guide
- ^ 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.
- ^ "RAILRIDERS: Escarra's versatility as plus". July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Yankees add RHP Yerry De Los Santos, catcher J.C. Escarra and outfielder Taylor Trammell to roster". yesnetwork.com.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Living people
- 1995 births
- Baseball players from Hialeah, Florida
- American sportspeople of Cuban descent
- FIU Panthers baseball players
- Brewster Whitecaps players
- Gulf Coast Orioles players
- Frederick Keys players
- Aberdeen IronBirds players
- Bowie Baysox players
- Norfolk Tides players
- Kansas City Monarchs (American Association) players
- Leones de Ponce baseball players
- Gastonia Honey Hunters players
- Toros de Tijuana players
- Algodoneros de Unión Laguna players
- Algodoneros de Guasave players
- Somerset Patriots players
- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders players
- Águilas Cibaeñas players