From Uber driver to the Major Leagues: Hialeah-born catcher fulfills major-league dream

JC Escarra could barely contain his excitement when he got the news.

At first, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone seemed to be giving one of those speeches meant to console someone being sent to the Minor Leagues, but he ended saying, “Welcome to the Major Leagues.’’

For Escarra, it was a moment he’ll never forget, because it marked the end of a cycle of great sacrifice that led him to experience ups and downs, to the extent that at one point he thought baseball was over for him, after working as an Uber driver, a substitute teacher, and other jobs to survive.

Now, however, Escarra, who is from Hialeah and played high school baseball for Mater Academy Charter school, can say he is a member of the Yankees in 2025.

“Let’s go,” Escarra responded to Boone upon receiving the news in the New York manager’s office. “The big leagues. I appreciate it, brother. Thanks for the opportunity.”

Escarra, a left-handed hitter with power and the ability to play multiple positions on the diamond, had to go a long way to continue pursuing this dream, spending several years in the Minor Leagues perfecting his game and waiting for an opportunity.

When the Yankees placed him on the 40-man roster, it was the first indication that the moment was possible. Everything pointed to the second catcher spot being his, and he did everything he could to firm it up in the spring.

Suffice it to say, Escarra lit up spring training with his bat, posting a .333 batting average with three home runs and eight RBIs in 48 plate appearances, along with 16 hits and a phenomenal .373 OBP/.563 SLU/.936 OPS offensive line.

No one would have thought this, especially when the Baltimore Orioles bid him farewell in 2022 and he had to play in the independent baseball league, which is generally a graveyard for those with dreams of playing in the majors.

His story is an example of perseverance and, at the same time, an inspiration for all those who seek to make their dreams come true, seeing how an Uber driver managed to become one of the catchers for the most important organization in Major League Baseball.

“You’ve earned it,” Boone told him.

“You’ve done everything we’ve asked of you. You’ve perfected your game. But now it all starts again, and we have new goals to pursue. With so many good people here, you’ve earned the right to be in the Major Leagues. I can’t wait to see you play. So help us win.”

This story was originally published March 24, 2025 at 5:47 PM.