DETROIT — Life as an independent league baseball player is far from glamorous, and it certainly doesn’t pay well.
Just ask J.C. Escarra, who made approximately $400 every two weeks while playing for Indy teams like the Kansas City Monarchs, Gastonia Honey Hunters, Toros de Tijuana and Algodoneros de Union Laguna from 2022-2023. With a mortgage to pay and a wife to take care of, Escarra also worked as an Uber driver and substitute teacher as he clung to his dream of being a big leaguer.
That dream came true in viral fashion last month, as multiple videos documented the reveal of life-changing news: Escarra had won a spot on the Yankees’ roster as their backup catcher.
The gig comes with a major league minimum salary of $760,000. It’s not Aaron Judge money, but it’s quite the raise for Escarra, who made his big league debut on March 29.
“I’m not sure what I’m gonna treat myself to with my first big league paycheck,” said Escarra, who resides in Hialeah, Florida. “Probably just save most of it, to be honest. I still got the mortgage back home, and I’m paying for somewhere to live up in New York. All the expenses, they add up.”
That they do.
Fortunately for Escarra, the son of Cuban immigrants, his underdog story has made him a hot commodity in the advertising world. Since making the Yankees’ roster, the 29-year-old has filmed spots for Raising Canes and Dove. There was also his apropos Uber ride to Yankee Stadium on Opening Day, his favorite ad thus far.
Those plugs, once unimaginable for Escarra, have led to additional revenue streams for the impending father.
“It’s money I’ve never made before, and money that I need, obviously, for me and my fam,” Escarra said. “We’re expecting a little one in June. So it’s been awesome to collab with all these people.”
Escarra wasn’t sure exactly how much his first endorsement checks will pay him, as he hasn’t received them yet. But he was sure about one thing.
“Definitely more than I made in Indy ball,” he said with a laugh.
Escarra added that more endorsements are in the works, as brands have been reaching out to his agents at WME since his journey became big enough news for an appearance on “The Today Show.”
Escarra would love to do “something with fragrances,” as he’s an avid cologne user. He wouldn’t mind the presumed perks that would come with a car deal, either.
He used to drive an Uber… “Now I drive a Porsche!” Escarra said, excitedly imagining a tagline for himself. “That would be nice.”
While Escarra has only played in two major league games thus far — he was slated to start against the Tigers on Wednesday afternoon — he’s in this position because of his skills behind the plate and his left-handed swing. As he continues to hone those skills, he also wants to improve in front of the camera as he hopes for more ads.
“It’s getting better and better,” Escarra said of his acting chops. “Some people say I’m good for a rook, for a newbie doing these commercials, but I’m getting more comfortable with them.
“I guess that’s another avenue that we can see in the future: J.C. Escarra the actor.”
