TAMPA, Fla. 每 J.C. Escarra＊s long-awaited promotion to the big leagues produced a viral moment, as video of manager Aaron Boone＊s closed-door conference has already generated more than 1 million views across the Yankees＊ social media platforms.
The Uber driver-turned-big leaguer earned his roster spot with a strong spring on both sides of the ball, one acknowledged on Sunday with the presentation of the James P. Dawson Award, given annually to the most outstanding rookie in Yankees Spring Training, ahead of a 3-3 tie with the Rays.
Escarra, 29, is heading north with the Yankees after batting .333 (16-for-48) with two doubles, three homers and eight RBIs in 17 Grapefruit League games.
※I was just grateful to be here at first, and now my dream has come true,§ Escarra said. ※That was the easy part. Now it＊s just to play baseball on the biggest stage. I＊m excited for what＊s to come.§
Boone summoned Escarra to his George M. Steinbrenner Field office after Saturday＊s game, and a camera was rolling underneath a nearby table. After briefly teasing Escarra about the club＊s deep catching depth, Boone informed Escarra that he had made the Major League roster.
※I was expecting some good news, but he really got me at first when I walked in there and it was only him,§ Escarra said. ※I was [thinking], ＆Man, if it was good news, I＊m sure the other coaches would want to be there to congratulate me.＊ ＃ My heart kind of sank at first, but after that he was like, ＆Ah, just kidding, you＊re going to New York.＊§
Escarra shed tears during a subsequent phone call to his mother and grandmother; the Miami-area native expects many family members and friends to attend Tuesday＊s exhibition game against the Marlins at loanDepot park, some of whom will also travel north for Thursday＊s Opening Day against the Brewers at Yankee Stadium.
It has been a cinematic journey for Escarra, once a first baseman who nearly quit baseball altogether after being released by the Orioles.
He kept his chances of making the Majors alive by returning to catching and traveling a winding path through baseball＊s back roads, playing in independent leagues while supplementing his income with gigs like picking up passengers in his leased Lexus and substitute teaching.
※I was making $400 every two weeks in indy ball, playing overseas, playing winter ball, having all those odd jobs just to provide for my family,§ Escarra said. ※There was a time that I was going to hang it all up. I believed it was time to move on and see what＊s next, but I＊m glad I didn＊t.§
The award was established in honor of James P. Dawson, who had a 45-year career with The New York Times until his passing during Spring Training in 1953. Escarra received an Oris watch in conjunction with the award, which was won last year by outfielder Spencer Jones.
A thrill for Will
Will Warren will be in the Yankees＊ rotation to begin the season, marking the 25-year-old right-hander＊s first Opening Day roster.
Boone said Warren will serve as the No. 4 starter, slotting behind Carlos Rod車n, Max Fried and Marcus Stroman. Warren, who will make his final spring start on Tuesday at Miami, would next pitch April 1 against the D-backs at Yankee Stadium.
※It feels good. I came into camp with that as the goal,§ said Warren, who has pitched to a 4.19 ERA across 19 1/3 spring innings. ※You＊ve always got to set your sights high. Unfortunately we lost Gerrit [Cole] and Luis [Gil] for now, so the opportunity arose. Aside from that, I definitely had my mind set on trying to make the team in any shape or form.§
Carlos Carrasco, who was told Friday that he made the club, will serve as the No. 5 starter. Boone said Carrasco could start the fifth, sixth or seventh game of the regular season, depending on how the Yankees choose to navigate two early off-days.
※We＊ve got some flexibility there,§ Boone said.
Subject to change
Boone said the Yankees are ※pretty close§ to announcing their 26-man roster, but numerous players have yet to be told because the club continues to monitor the marketplace for potential upgrades.
※I think we know who we＊re going to go with,§ Boone said. ※Now, industry-wide, things can still happen over the next couple of days. You never know.§
For example, the Yanks are known to be scouting for a right-handed bench bat, though Boone has spoken positively about non-roster invitee Pablo Reyes. Infielder Oswald Peraza, who is out of Minor League options, said Sunday he has not been told if he is on the team.
※We still have two more games left,§ Peraza said through interpreter Marlon Abreu. ※I thought it was a good spring. I felt really good at the plate. You＊re always chasing consistency at the plate. Overall, when you look at Spring Training, I felt really good defensively. I felt like I was right there.§
Boone has suggested there could be three open bullpen spots, with Ian Hamilton landing on the injured list to build stamina. Yoendrys G車mez is out of options, has seen his velocity jump and has yet to allow a run in 11 1/3 spring innings, making the right-hander a likely fit.
Other internal candidates include left-hander Brent Headrick and right-hander Yerry de los Santos. Right-hander Wilking Rodr赤guez was reassigned to Minor League camp after Sunday＊s game.