Chicago Cubs left-hander Justin Steele detoured from his locker when he entered the guests clubhouse at Nationals Park final week with a vacation spot in thoughts.
Across the room, Steele discovered Miguel Amaya and approached the younger catcher with a quick message, complimenting the 24-year-old’s efficiency throughout their pregame bullpen.
Amaya hadn’t performed above Double-A Tennessee when the Cubs promoted him to fill in whereas Yan Gomes was sidelined on the seven-day concussion injured listing. Tommy John surgical procedure and a Lisfranc damage sidelined him for a lot of the earlier two seasons. Since 2020, Amaya had began solely 32 minor-league video games earlier than incomes his first big-league call-up.
He appeared in six Cubs video games, beginning 4 at catcher.
“He’s an unbelievable player, unbelievable person,” Steele stated. “I’ve had the pleasure of assembly his household, simply lovely folks inside and outside. I actually know Amaya as an individual. I do know he’s a terrific child. He’s simply an unbelievable expertise, behind the plate, on the plate, hitting.
“He has the talent to do whatever he wants to do in this game.”
The Cubs optioned Amaya to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday earlier than a 10-4 win in opposition to the St. Louis Cardinals with Gomes prepared to return off the IL. It represented a minor-league promotion for Amaya and, extra necessary, he departed Chicago nicely positioned to turn into the Cubs’ long-term possibility at catcher. Gomes, who turns 36 in July, has a $6 million membership possibility with a $1 million buyout for 2024, whereas Tucker Barnhart is owed $3.25 million subsequent 12 months, although he possesses an choose out in his deal.
Amaya made essentially the most of his second and supplied a glimpse of why he has been a extremely rated prospect within the Cubs system. He is poised to be a key addition to the cornerstones the Cubs have locked in on the roster the final six months. That growth for the group is as necessary as something he confirmed throughout his week within the majors.
“I’m reluctant to overstate it because he’s gotten hurt a couple of times … but I think the healthy version of him is going to play in the major leagues a long time,” workforce President Jed Hoyer stated.
Amaya’s work with the pitching workers earned reward. His lack of reps behind the plate didn’t hinder Cubs pitchers. Jameson Taillon lauded Amaya’s pregame preparation and going over the opposing lineup, efforts that started the night time earlier than the beginning. After his final outing, Hayden Wesneski stated Amaya “blew his mind” by how ready he was.
The Cubs clearly worth defense-first catchers who can deal with the whole lot from calling the sport to blocking and framing. Amaya’s offensive profile shouldn’t be neglected, nonetheless. He confirmed a superb method and understanding of the zone. He can draw walks and work the depend. And he can generate arduous contact and a few pop — 5 of Amaya’s 13 balls in play have been arduous hit.
“He handled the staff great, and I thought winning those guys over and having the veteran guys commenting on his calmness, that was really impressive,” Hoyer stated. “And no doubt it gives a lot more confidence going forward. He’s the guy that’s been a top prospect for a long time. He had two major injuries and hopefully now we can stay healthy.”
Bullpen coach Chris Young stated Amaya got here locked in to each assembly, taking notes and digesting suggestions. Young, a former scout, sees a ton of instruments inside Amaya that translate nicely on the major-league degree.
“Whenever as a catcher you can give the feeling of, this is really, really important to me when you’re there, it just sends such a good message to your pitchers and allows those guys to relax a little bit in the moment,” Young stated. “He has this want and this desire to really help the pitching staff, and that’s what a lot of top-shelf pitchers in the game are built on.”
Gomes and Barnhart have served as assets for Amaya in big-league camp and through his weeklong keep within the majors. Both famous how Amaya stored asking the fitting questions and the way he at all times works to get higher.
“The few times I’ve watched him catch in the big leagues, he looks like a big-leaguer, he looks like he belongs,” Barnhart stated. “He’s got a bright, bright future for sure. I don’t see why he couldn’t be a starter.”
Added Gomes: “He did a tremendous job, got nothing but praises from everyone in here. He impressed a lot of people.”
Amaya rejoined Iowa understanding the whole lot that goes into catching a major-league pitching workers. One of the hardest transitions for a younger catcher making a bounce to the large leagues is realizing the significance of each pitch and the scrutiny that comes with it at this degree. He doesn’t seem fazed by the problem.
“I know all these guys, I know the chemistry we can have for the games,” Amaya stated. “I like to work with all the pitchers here. They give me so much confidence. They trust me too.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com