Gioskar Amaya Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2706
AVG	.271
OBP	.348
SLG	.387
HR	33

Full name Gioskar Julio Amaya
Born 12/13/1992 in Bejumas, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Amaya starred alongside Marco Hernandez in the Rookie-level Arizona League during their 2011 U.S. debuts, and again at Boise last summer. Amaya can do a little bit of everything, but he stands out most for how easy he makes it all look. When the Cubs needed an emergency infielder in Triple-A in mid-May, they sent him to Iowa and he delivered a double in his lone at-bat. Amaya uses a short, quick swing that has produced a .333 batting average in two years in the United States. He's growing into some sneaky power and has plus speed, and he hinted at both with his Northwest League-leading 12 triples last summer. After alternating between second base and shortstop with Hernandez in the AZL, Amaya played exclusively at the keystone in 2012 with Boise. His range and arm strength weren't quite good enough at shortstop but are solid at second. He topped NWL second basemen with a .968 fielding percentage. Club officials love his makeup and how he's locked in to play every day. If Amaya keeps producing at the plate when he gets to full-season ball in 2013, he'll start to move quickly.

Minor League Top Prospects

Amaya showed off his best tool (his bat) by hitting .377 in the Arizona League last year, but he didn't hit a single home run. This summer he popped eight and also led the NWL with 12 triples, showing improved power with his short, quick swing. A sneaky above-average runner who profiles as a tablesetter, he needs to continue to improve his pitch recognition. Amaya and Hernandez have been teammates for the past three seasons now. The two alternated in the middle of the diamond in the AZL, but Hernandez is the better defender and Amaya played exclusively at second base in 2012. His range and arm are just a bit subpar to play shortstop but work fine at second base.
Amaya spent as much time this year at second base and third base as at shortstop, and that may define his role moving forward. He has the glove and natural instincts to play any position but lacks the quickness and arm to play shortstop on an everyday basis. There's little question about Amaya's bat, as he hit .377/.417/.510 and led the AZL with 77 hits in his first season Stateside. A solid line-drive hitter with gap power, he has strong hands and a good swing. He has above-average speed but may slow down slightly as he gets bigger. Amaya is a smart, instinctive player and made great strides in learning the English language this year. He should be able to move quickly through the system.

Career Transactions

1B Gioskar Amaya assigned to Navegantes del Magallanes.
1B Gioskar Amaya assigned to Navegantes del Magallanes.
1B Gioskar Amaya elected free agency.
1B Gioskar Amaya assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Cubs Extended Spring Training.
1B Gioskar Amaya assigned to Cubs Extended Spring Training from Tennessee Smokies.
Tennessee Smokies activated 1B Gioskar Amaya from the 7-day injured list.
1B Gioskar Amaya assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Cubs Extended Spring Training.
1B Gioskar Amaya assigned to Cubs Extended Spring Training from Tennessee Smokies.
1B Gioskar Amaya assigned to Chicago Cubs.
1B Gioskar Amaya assigned to Navegantes del Magallanes.
Tennessee Smokies activated 1B Gioskar Amaya from the 60-day disabled list.
1B Gioskar Amaya assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Cubs Ext. Spring Training.
1B Gioskar Amaya assigned to Cubs Ext. Spring Training from Tennessee Smokies.
Tigres de Aragua traded 1B Gioskar Amaya to Navegantes del Magallanes.
1B Gioskar Amaya assigned to Tigres de Aragua.
1B Gioskar Amaya assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
C Gioskar Amaya assigned to Myrtle Beach Pelicans from South Bend Cubs.
C Gioskar Amaya assigned to Chicago Cubs.
C Gioskar Amaya assigned to Tigres de Aragua.
South Bend Cubs activated C Gioskar Amaya from the 7-day disabled list.
South Bend Cubs placed C Gioskar Amaya on the 7-day disabled list.
C Gioskar Amaya assigned to South Bend Cubs from Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
Gioskar Amaya assigned to Daytona Cubs from Kane County Cougars.
2B Gioskar Amaya assigned to Chicago Cubs.
2B Gioskar Amaya assigned to Kane County Cougars from Boise Hawks.
IF Gioskar Amaya assigned to Chicago Cubs.
Gioskar Amaya assigned to Boise Hawks from Iowa Cubs.
Gioskar Amaya assigned to Iowa Cubs from AZL Cubs.
SS Gioskar Amaya assigned to Chicago Cubs.
Gioskar Amaya assigned to AZL Cubs from DSL Cubs1.
DSL Cubs1 signed SS Gioskar Amaya.