Tampa – JC Escala's long journey from Uber Driver to Big League has been officially completed.
The Yankees told Eskara on Saturday that they were making their team as backup catchers and set up the 29-year-old to make their MLB debut in the coming weeks.
Eskara played for four different independent league teams in 2022 and 2023 after being released by the Orioles, spending time helping pay bills as an Uber driver, substitute teacher and food delivery man.
Until Saturday, he was hitting .333 with .936 OPS in 17 games.
Eskara is also known as a powerful framer and has received praise from camp pitchers for his work behind the plate.
“He did an amazing job,” general manager Brian Cashman said Saturday. “He has continued to go to Winterball last year and is now in spring training.”
The Yankees are expected to carry three catchers on a 26-man roster, with Eskara serving as Austin Wells' backup and Ben Rice could potentially get more at-bats as DH.
The three are all left-handed batsmen and what the Yankees said is that it doesn't matter if they're the best three options.
Escala beat Alex Jackson. Alex Jackson was in camp as a non-roster invitee after coming in an offseason trade from the Reds, who traded catcher Jose Trevino for bailout Fernando Cruz.
“I think everyone knew [Escarra] There was a legal chance to come here and confuse the conversation and throw yourself into the mix. What stood out beyond that is the energy he brings. I think he has developed the trust that really needed to know how involved he is with the pitching staff. ”
