From Uber driver to making Yankees’ opening day roster, this is the J.C. Escarra story

Juan Carlos Escarra’s black Lexus sedan was full with passengers in 2022, following his release from the Baltimore Orioles Triple-A side, but after never giving up on his dreams he just made the New York Yankees’ opening day roster.

J.C. was selected by the Orioles in the 15th round of the 2017 MLB Draft but his time with the franchise didn’t go as Escarra would’ve liked and in April 2022 he was released by the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A affiliate of the Orioles.

Picking up plenty of passengers and maintaining a 5-star rating on his Uber profile helped Escarra during the most challenging time of his career. “I had just gotten married and bought an apartment with my wife. So now I’ve got a mortgage to pay and a wife to provide for. I had to make money somehow, and no one was going to take away my home from me. I knew I had to make those payments, so I was doing anything it took”, said Escarra to MLB.com.

I had to make money somehow, and no one was going to take away my home from me. I knew I had to make those payments.

J.C. Escarra on being a Uber driver

After Baltimore set him loose, J.C. looked everywhere for another chance with an MLB franchise, he didn’t find it quickly, but that didn’t stopped him. Escarra said. “I was about to hang it up. It wasn’t working out for me, but I still knew in my heart I should give it a try”.

So he went on to play at the Kansas City Monarchs, Gastonia Honey Hunters, in the Mexican League and in Puerto Rico. He hit well, caught well, and the Yankees’ scouting department was paying attention. Next thing tou know, in January 2024 the organization offered him a Minor League contract.

Escarra finished last season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he posted a .302/.403/.527 slash line in 52 games, prompting his addition to the Yankees opening day roster.

Now 29 years old, J.C. could play his first minutes on a MLB field. The Yankees captured the moment Escarra told his mom that he made it to The Show.

After the news, Escarra said to the New York Post: “It feels amazing. Lot of time coming. I was just grateful to be here at first and now my dreams come true”.