Jacob Amaya

Jacob Amaya's Biography

Jacob Carlos Amaya, born September 3, 1998, is an accomplished American professional baseball shortstop who currently plays for the Chicago White Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB). With an illustrious career full of impressive records and commendable performances, Jacob has demonstrated his prowess in the game extensively.

He has previously shown excellent skills and discipline in his games playing for the Miami Marlins and the Houston Astros, proving his worth as a vital asset in any team he joined. He was initially recognized for his tremendous talent when the Los Angeles Dodgers picked him in the 11th round, with the 340th overall selection, of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. This selection came after his successful year at South Hills High School located in West Covina, California.

Jacob made an impactful debut with the rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers in 2017, hitting an appreciable .254 in a total of 34 games. The next year, 2018, saw him dividing his time between the rookie–level Ogden Raptors and Single–A Great Lakes Loons. Testament to his consistent performance, Jacob managed to hit .311 across 59 games. In 2019, Jacob continued his journey in a series of 103 games with the Loons before receiving a promotion which had him playing a string of 21 games for the High–A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. His overall score for this season averaged at .260.

The unprecedented times of 2020 brought an abrupt halt to Amaya’s progressive career due to the undeterred spread of the COVID-19 pandemic which led to the cancellation of the minor league season. However, Amaya returned to the field in 2021, stronger than ever, appearing in 113 games with the Double–A Tulsa Drillers. In this season, he scored .216/.303/.343 with a career–high in home runs (12) and RBI (47). Amaya was then assigned to the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League after the season ended, and later added to the Dodgers 40-man roster. His season concluded with him dividing his time between the Drillers and the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, resulting in a combined hit of .261 in 133 games along with an impressive 17 homers and 71 RBI.

Jacob was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Miguel Rojas by the Dodgers on January 11, 2023. He began the 2023 season playing for the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp where he continued to perform excellently and improve his game. Across 58 games, he scored .278/.346/.472 with nine home runs and 35 RBIs. On June 17, 2023, he received a promotion to the major leagues for the first time, making his major league debut the next day, and recording his first-ever MLB hit. His rookie campaign in Miami was cut short after four games, where he managed to score 2–for–9 (.222) with no home runs, two RBI, and one stolen base.

The 2024 season began with Amaya again optioned to Triple–A Jacksonville. However, his assignment was terminated when he was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Emmanuel Rivera on April 2. Consequently, Amaya was traded to the Houston Astros in lieu of Valente Bellozo on April 6, 2024. During his time with the Astros, he made one appearance in which his only at–bat saw him flying out against New York Yankees pitcher Ron Marinaccio. Following this, the Astros designated him for assignment on August 24.

Jacob was subsequently claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox on August 26, 2024. Interestingly, baseball runs in Amaya’s blood as his grandfather, Frank, was also drafted by the Dodgers. With his proven track record and innate talent, Jacob Amaya continues to shine in his professional career as a successful and dynamic baseball shortstop, earning recognition and respect across Major League Baseball.