in life, it often takes a village to be successful. Nobody knows that better than Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra, who made his MLB debut for the Bronx Bombers earlier this season. After years in the minor leagues and stints in independent baseball, Escarra is a powerful reminder of how much can change in a year with the right support system.

The Drive to Succeed

Escarra’s journey to the Bronx began in high school when he was selected by the Mets in the 32nd round of the MLB Draft. Instead of heading to the minors, the Hialeah, Florida native chose to attend Florida International University (FIU). During his four-year collegiate career, he batted .276 with 20 home runs and over 100 RBIs. After the 2017 season, he was drafted again—this time by the Baltimore Orioles. He spent five years in their minor league system, primarily as a first baseman, before being released in 2022.

Escarra was close to retiring, but his wife and family encouraged him to stick it out for one more year. His main concern was paying the mortgage. To keep his dream alive, Escarra played in various independent leagues. In his off time, he drove for Uber, worked as a substitute teacher, and coached youth baseball to make ends meet. His wife also made sacrifices, working full-time as a teacher and taking an additional job in a medical office in the afternoons to help cover the bills.

“We were living paycheck to paycheck,” he told MLB. “But we were making it happen. I didn’t drive at night or on weekends—maybe that’s where the money is.”

After a strong performance in an independent league in Mexico, Escarra caught the attention of the Yankees. He signed with their farm system and quickly became the organization’s best defensive catcher.

The Opportunity of a Lifetime

Escarra continued to impress during this year’s spring training and earned a spot on the Yankees’ Opening Day roster—at 30 years old.

In the 2025 season, Escarra has performed well, serving as a solid alternative to Austin Wells. In 35 games, he has contributed both defensively and offensively. He recorded his first major league hit on April 7 and later had a game-winning pop fly against the Padres—a moment that seemed unimaginable when he was Ubering and substitute teaching just to keep the lights on.

What We Can Learn

Escarra’s story shows us the importance of leaning on your support system. His wife’s and family’s unwavering belief in him gave him the confidence to keep grinding, even when giving up seemed easier. Most of us won’t find ourselves on a major league roster, but we can all play a role in helping our friends, families, and teammates build confidence in themselves and support them when they need it most.