The New York Yankees are gearing up for a season where every piece of the puzzle needs to fit perfectly, especially when it comes to supporting their star, Aaron Judge. One intriguing element in this equation is the emergence of second-year player J.C. Escarra, who’s made the opening day roster as the backup catcher behind Austin Wells.
Escarra, a first-round pick from 2020, might not have the flashiest stats yet, boasting a 101 wRC+ and 38 career home runs over four seasons. But the Yankees see potential beyond the numbers. Manager Aaron Boone is optimistic about Escarra’s ability to elevate his game and exceed both offensively and defensively compared to Wells.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that, if he played regularly, he’d be a top 10, 15 catcher on both sides of the ball. I feel that strongly about him,” Boone shared with reporters.
Such confidence from Boone sets high expectations, even though Escarra didn’t start against the San Francisco Giants’ lefty Robbie Ray on Friday. The Yankees are looking for a dependable backup catcher, and Escarra has the opportunity to step up and prevent the team from having to rely on Ben Rice behind the plate.
Last season, Escarra appeared in 40 games for New York, posting a 79 wRC+ with two home runs and 11 RBIs. This year, he’s out to prove that Boone’s faith in him is well-placed, aiming to seize every chance he gets to make an impact.