During the first 13 games of his junior season in 2016, Florida International University catcher JC Escarra batted .271 with five doubles and 10 RBI and had two or more hits in four games.
But Escarra’s promising season was cut short following a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery.
However the injury had no ill-effects, as Escarra, a Mater Academy alumni who was drafted by the New York Mets, picked up where he left off.
So far this season, Escarra, 21, is batting .266, with 25 hits, 22 RBI and six home runs for the Panthers, who are 13-14 for the 2017 season.
When the 2013 First Team All-Dade player signed to play with FIU, he exceeded his expectations starting in his freshmen year, when he started in 42 games, hit .247 with 17 RBI, including a triple in his second career college game against Rutgers.
As a sophomore, Escarra hit .271 with 33 RBI and five dingers. The highlight of his second season was a 14-game hitting street, where he batted .373.