The New York Yankees have found unexpected value in one of the most overlooked positions on the roster — backup catcher J.C. Escarra.
At 30 years old, Escarra isn’t the kind of prospect that turns heads based on age or draft pedigree.
But his production this season suggests the Yankees might need to rethink how often he’s in the starting lineup.
Why Escarra’s bat deserves more respect
Through limited opportunities, Escarra is hitting .246/.338/.415 with a .753 OPS, adding two homers and eight runs batted in.
Those are solid numbers for a catcher, especially one not viewed as a core offensive contributor heading into the year.
What stands out most is his plate discipline — he ranks well above average in chase rate, whiff rate, strikeout rate, and walk rate.
The Yankees have struggled with consistency at the bottom of the order, and Escarra brings a disciplined approach that adds balance.
He’s not trying to do too much, and that simplicity has become one of his greatest strengths.
Elite defensive metrics demand attention
Offensively, Escarra has been a pleasant surprise — but defensively, he’s pushing elite territory.
Across just 533 pitches caught, he’s already credited with three catcher framing runs, a stat that quantifies pitch presentation value.
If you stretch that pace over a full workload, he’d be one of the best defensive catchers in baseball.
To add even more context, Escarra currently leads MLB with a 50.1% strike rate, placing him atop the league in pitch framing.
That’s the kind of advantage that can subtly change games — stealing strikes, flipping counts, and giving pitchers extra breathing room.
Wells’ struggles open the door
Austin Wells entered the season as a high-upside option behind the plate, but his inconsistency has created a natural opening.
Wells has struggled to establish himself both offensively and defensively, which makes Escarra’s emergence even more intriguing.
While Wells remains part of the long-term plan, the Yankees need results right now, especially during tight division battles.
In his most recent start against Baltimore, Escarra delivered three RBIs, two runs, and a home run — making his case loud and clear.
A role that could quietly grow
It’s not often a 30-year-old rookie forces a franchise like the Yankees to reevaluate depth chart decisions — but here we are.
Escarra isn’t flashy, and he doesn’t generate headlines, but he’s been exactly what a contending team needs off the bench.
He’s the type of player who slips through the cracks until one day you realize he’s making your team better every single week.
Like a sturdy lock on a back door, Escarra’s reliability may not stand out — until you realize just how much security it brings.
READ MORE: Yankees 1, Reds 6: Good news and bad news as Yanks are handed eighth loss in their last 11 games