Biography
Jacob Carlos Amaya (born September 3, 1998) is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Miami Marlins and Houston Astros.
Career
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Amaya in the 11th round, with the 340th overall selection, of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft out of South Hills High School in West Covina, California. He made his debut with the rookie–level Arizona League Dodgers in 2017, hitting .254 in 34 games. He split the 2018 season between the rookie–level Ogden Raptors and Single–A Great Lakes Loons, hitting .311 in 59 games. He spent 103 games with the Loons in 2019 before a promotion to the High–A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes for 21 games. Overall he hit .260.
Amaya did not play in a game 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned to action in 2021, and played in 113 games with the Double–A Tulsa Drillers, hitting .216/.303/.343 with career–highs in home runs (12) and RBI (47). He was assigned to the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League after the season and then added to the Dodgers 40-man roster. His season was split between the Drillers and the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers. He hit a combined .261 in 133 games with 17 homers and 71 RBI.
Miami Marlins
On January 11, 2023, the Dodgers traded Amaya to the Miami Marlins for Miguel Rojas. Amaya was optioned to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to begin the 2023 season. In 58 games, he hit .278/.346/.472 with nine home runs and 35 RBIs. On June 17, 2023, Amaya was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his major league debut the next day, recording his first MLB hit. Amaya played in four games for Miami in his rookie campaign, going 2–for–9 (.222) with no home runs, two RBI, and one stolen base.
Amaya was optioned to Triple–A Jacksonville to begin the 2024 season. On April 2, he was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Emmanuel Rivera.
Houston Astros
On April 6, 2024, Amaya was traded to the Houston Astros in exchange for Valente Bellozo. He made one appearance for Houston, flying out against New York Yankees pitcher Ron Marinaccio in his only at–bat. Amaya was designated for assignment by the Astros on August 24.
Chicago White Sox
On August 26, 2024, Amaya was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox. In 23 games for Chicago, he batted .179/.225/.194 with no home runs, three RBI, and one stolen base. Amaya was designated for assignment by the White Sox on January 8, 2025.
On January 16, 2025, Amaya was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. He was designated for assignment following the signing of Dylan Carlson on January 27. On February 3, Amaya was claimed back off waivers by the White Sox.
Personal life
Amaya's grandfather Frank was also drafted by the Dodgers.