One of the better stories coming out of spring, J.C. Escarra was impossible to ignore at camp for the Yankees in 2025. He was a wonderful feel-good story, but the 30-year-old rookie also served as an adequate
backup catcher for much of the ‘25 season. Although he occupies a spot that will never garner much buzz or cause much of a stir in the flash department, Escarra did a solid-enough job. It was quite a ways to climb considering where he was in his baseball journey a year ago.
Grade: C+
2025 Stats: 40 games, .202/.296/.333, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 79 wRC+, 1 SB, 0.1 bWAR, 0.5 fWAR
2026 Contract Status: pre-arbitration, $820,000
Escarra had spent nine seasons up and down the minor leagues after being drafted by the Orioles in 2017, while also grinding it out in independent and international winter leagues. It was far from an easy baseball journey for the backstop. It was well-known, coming out of camp this season, that Escarra was only barely making ends meet, driving for Uber while playing professional baseball. All of this makes his eventual arrival in the Bronx all the more impressive.
After swatting three homers and posting a .848 OPS in his 19 spring training games, the call finally came for Escarra. A month or so before turning 30, he was on his way to the Bronx for his first major league action. He made his big league debut on March 29th as a pinch-hitter, collected his first hit a few days later, and even notched his first major league home run before April was over.
It was no cheapy, either. Escarra’s dream had been realized, and no matter how small his role, the story of his climb up the ranks in his late 20s is hard not to love.
Despite the great story he provided, he also found himself in a largely thankless job as the Yankees backup catcher. With the minimal glory, there are also tempered expectations. He managed just a 79 wRC+ in his 98 plate appearances, though considering the position and the role, that is generally fine.
Escarra was realistically the third option behind the plate for the Yankees for much of 2025, with Austin Wells locked in as the starter and Ben Rice getting his fair share of run in the gear. That being said, as he was needed, Escarra held things down. He hit well enough to get by in his situation, and was a good defender and plus framer behind the plate. All things considered, I think most teams would be content with that from their third string catcher.
Any kind of legitimate breakout is obviously unlikely for Escarra at this point in his career, but his arrival and fine enough performance in the majors could be enough for him to cling onto the back spots of rosters for a few seasons — something very few people ever lay claim to. He appeared in just one game after the month of July for the big club, but his numbers at Triple-A were good enough that he also won’t just be cast away.
He was one of the best stories coming out of spring training, and considering the job he had, he held his own with the Yankees in 2025. His roster spot is far from secure in 2026 or any point going forward, but it was fun to see Escarra on the big league field after his long journey.
