Nearly two years before J.C. Escarra made the Opening Day roster for the New York Yankees, he was working as an Uber driver and a substitute teacher on the side of playing independent baseball, just trying to keep his dream of one day making the big leagues alive.
Escarra, a 15th-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2017, spent nearly five years in the Orioles' minor league system before he was released at the end of spring training in 2022. He began playing independent baseball for multiple leagues, including the American Association, Puerto Rican Winter League, Atlanta League of Professional Baseball, and Mexican League. After getting married in 2022, Escarra briefly worked as an Uber driver and substitute teacher to make some money. His wife, Jocelyn, also worked multiple jobs to make ends meet.
