JC Escarra on journey to MLB, catching Max Fried and telling a manager "trade me or I'll retire"

Tickets for Somerset Patriots game: https://so6.glitnirticketing.com/soticket/cms/view.php?id=tile_Friends+of+Max+Mannis

0:00 Intro

4:15 Welcome JC Escarra!

6:30 Escarra was never a catcher

12:40 Told a coach “trade me or I’m retiring”

14:03 Substitute teacher story

15:55 Why JC loves baseball

18:58 Getting back into catching

21:03 Yankees player development + analytics

23:59 Game prep + framing

26:45 Catching a big league staff

29:19 Prospects he came up with

31:45 Yankees pitching development

35:24 Max Fried

38:41 Playing with Cole, Fried and Rodon

40:40 Torpedo bats

44:53 Best parts of being a big leaguer

46:47 Reflecting on journey while living in the now

Twins outfielder Harrison Bader on playing with Aaron Judge, center field defense, NYC baseball and WBC announcement

Tickets for Somerset Patriots game: https://so6.glitnirticketing.com/soticket/cms/view.php?id=tile_Friends+of+Max+Mannis

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

4:23 Harrison Bader joins the show!

6:30 Harrison’s baseball journey

17:06 Coming up with Cardinals

21:00 Center field defense

26:44 Playing with Byron Buxton/Carlos Correa

31:31 Aaron Judge 62 HR and Albert Pujols 700 HR chase

33:44 Playing in New York vs. the midwest

36:49 Swag as part of identity

40:44 How Harrison has developed since being a rookie

43:23 Being traded to Yankees

48:06 Biomechanics of swinging

54:55 Jewish culture

58:40 ANNOUNCEMENT!

Diamondbacks prospect Jacob Steinmetz joins the show to discuss his unique career, Orthodox Jewish challenges in baseball, and striking out Manny Machado in the World Baseball Classic

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro
2:36 Diamondbacks spring training stories
5:55 Jacob’s baseball journey
11:54 Pitching philosophy
20:00 Being an Orthodox Jew in baseball
27:42 Playing for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic