Baseball is full of surprising stories, but none quite like JC Escarra’s. From driving an Uber to donning the Yankees’ pinstripes, his journey to the big leagues is a true underdog tale. Who would’ve guessed that the guy behind the wheel would someday be behind the plate at Yankee Stadium? But here he is, making his mark and showing the power of self-belief. It’s a story that reminds us all that sometimes, the road to the big leagues isn’t what you expect.
Not long ago, Escarra was driving his white sedan, making his daily earnings. Today? He’s basking in a huge round of applause for his first MLB hit. But it would be wrong to think Escarra had no experience—his impressive spring training performance earned him a spot in the starting lineup. With 15 hits in 45 at-bats, six runs, two doubles, three home runs, and seven RBIs in 16 games, Escarra caught the Yankees’ attention. It wasn’t just his spring stats that got him the call-up; he also posted a .930 OPS in 52 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Now, after recording his first hit as a Yankee, a special fan was lucky enough to get the ball from Escarra himself.
On Thursday night, the Yankees won 9-7 against the Diamondbacks, but the real highlight came in the bottom of the 7th inning. While Jazz Chisholm stole the spotlight in the game, it was Escarra’s hit that sparked the conversation. Even though it didn’t result in a run, the moment was significant—Escarra hit in front of his family and a sold-out stadium. So, who got the ball as a memento? His father. “He’s a longtime Yankee fan, lived in Yonkers for 15 years, and has been through a lot. He deserves that ball, and he’s going to be so happy,” Escarra said in his post-game presser. His father, a partner in his struggles, played a huge role in placing his son on the diamond.
Despite losing the series to the Diamondbacks, the Yankees managed to win the last game. The Diamondbacks regained some momentum with a grand slam to reduce the margin before Escarra’s hit. The next stop for the Yankees is a series against the Pirates on Friday. The regular season just kicked off, but the Yankees’ youth brigade caught all the attention amid their strong start. It’s not only about Escarra but also the other young guns making the difference for the team.
The youth-driven Yankees got off to a strong start
The Yankees in 2025 aren’t the powerhouse they were during the Aaron Judge era. In fact, this is shaping up to be their worst year in terms of projected wins since 2017, according to PECOTA and FanGraphs. Why? Because of the lack of veteran stars. Aaron Judge is still there, but beyond him, the roster has a different vibe.
The Yankees’ decision to promote Ben Rice in place of the injured Giancarlo Stanton shows just how much the team is evolving. Unlike the star-studded Yankees of the past, this roster is more agile and lean. Can young players like Austin Wells, Ben Rice, Jasson Dominguez, Oswaldo Cabrera, Will Warren, and Jazz Chisholm handle the responsibilities expected of them?
So far, the answer has been a resounding yes. The Yankees are already leading the chart in terms of home runs and total runs scored. Their offense is also the talk of the town this year. Take the example of Chisholm. His efforts have given an already dynamic offense a new degree of intricacy and flair. Chisholm is a vital component of the offense because of his ability to generate power and momentum with his unique approach. Remember his towering home runs against the Brewers? His skill has given the team a dynamic edge, complementing Aaron Judge’s already impressive power. And with the Yankees introducing their new performance-enhancing “torpedo” bats, the young guns are poised to take things to the next level.
Escarra’s story is one of those rags-to-riches sagas that make a lasting impression. Along with his young counterparts, he’ll be one of the players to watch as the season progresses.
Do you think the Yankees can shine this year with their young brigade?
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