He had 30 hits, scored 17 runs and had 19 walks. Guys know how to spin it more, they locate way better, they throw way harder. “In high school, guys were throwing 85, here they were throwing in the 90’s. Going from high school to professional ball was a tough transition that Jacob had to quickly adapt to. Instead of heading to Fullerton, Amaya headed to Arizona, where he began his professional playing career. “I didn’t go high, but it was my dream, so I rolled with it. “Playing professionally was something I had dreamed about since I was a kid,” Amaya said. To him, the decision wasn’t difficult at all. Sign a minor-league contract with a $247,500 bonus or continue playing baseball in college.Īmaya was committed to play baseball at Cal State Fullerton. Though being drafted fulfilled a lifelong dream, Amaya had a difficult decision to make. His numbers didn’t go unnoticed, as he was drafted in the 11th round, 340th overall, in the 2017 MLB draft. He was also a force to be reckoned with on the base paths, going 14-for-14 in stolen bases. In his final year, he increased his number of hits, runs batted in, runs scored, as well as home runs. He improved even more for his senior campaign. ![]() He led his team to a CIF Southern Section championship victory, hitting. ![]() There was obviously hard work that had to be put in.”Īs a junior, Amaya really began to catch the eyes of scouts. I talked with my grandpa and my dad about it. “I was only 14 years old and scouts were already coming out to see me. “I got my first offer when I was a freshman, that’s when things started to kick in,” he said. Though he really put his name in the spotlight his junior season, the offers starting coming in when he was only a freshman. He transferred for his junior season to South Hills High School in West Covina, which is less than 25 miles away from Dodger Stadium. I knew he wanted me to put on the jersey that he put on, and it was an honor.”Īmaya started his high school career playing at Northview High School in Covina. “When he passed away, it set a fuel for me. Wishing his grandfather were still here today, Jacob uses this as extra motivation. Growing up it was always him and my dad, giving me knowledge about the game.”Īmaya’s grandfather passed away in 2016, one year before Amaya would get drafted by the Dodgers. “My grandpa was always watching the Dodgers games when I got home. “It was amazing when I got drafted by the Dodgers,” Amaya said. He spent three years in the Class C Pioneer League, playing for the Great Falls Electrics. His grandfather, Frank Amaya, also a shortstop, was in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization starting in 1955. Within a 10 minute span my whole family was celebrating.”įor Amaya, he became the second member of his family to be selected by the Dodgers. I log on, and the first thing I saw was my name and who I got drafted by. “My best friend called me and said I was drafted by the Dodgers,” Amaya said. ![]() Little did he know, he was about to receive a phone call that would change his life forever, and fulfill a lifelong dream. He woke up around ten o’clock, and went to turn on his PS4 and play some video games. For Jacob Amaya, this wasn’t a typical Wednesday morning.
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