The skilled shortstop gets his first shot at The Show after sustained success at Triple-A.

Prior to Saturday’s game, the Miami Marlins recalled Jacob Amaya, one of the organization’s top position player prospects. He’ll be wearing uniform No. 67. Jean Segura (left hamstring strain) was placed on the 10-day injured list as the corresponding move.

The Marlins acquired Amaya from the Los Angeles Dodgers in January in exchange for Miguel Rojas. The 24-year-old wasn’t able to crack the Opening Day roster, but he’s been hitting well with Triple-A Jacksonville for the better part of two months to make his call-up case.

Jacob Amaya 2023 stats:

.278/.346/.472/.818 with nine home runs, 35 RBIs, and a 101 wRC+

Great glove and the bat is as consistent as it gets. Love the move to bring up the young shortstop. If he succeeds this next month, then no real need to trade for a shortstop.#Marlins pic.twitter.com/4zer4eNfZ9

— Kevin Barral (@kevin_barral) June 17, 2023

Recovered from slow start, Jacob Amaya makes strong case to be called up

Amaya is especially productive with the platoon advantage. The right-handed hitter has a .922 OPS against lefties in 2023 after posting a .964 OPS against them last year (albeit in high-scoring offensive environments). Amaya wasn’t in Saturday’s starting lineup as the Marlins went up against Washington Nationals right-hander Jake Irvin.

Through the first 70 games of the season, the Marlins have used Joey Wendle (34 starts), Jon Berti (25) and Garrett Hampson (11) at shortstop. Amaya has the potential to be a defensive upgrade over any of them. He has made SS his full-time defensive home, only moving off the position for a brief period in early May to accommodate Wendle during the veteran’s rehab assignment.

The Marlins obviously would love for Amaya to solidify their starting shortstop spot the way Rojas did for a handful of years, but it’s unreasonable to automatically expect that. Although a well-rounded player, he lacks electric tools. This period between now and the MLB trade deadline will be an important evaluation period. With the club in postseason contention, Amaya must perform firmly above replacement level to stick on the active roster and convince the Fish not to trade for an established alternative at the position.

Amaya will become the fifth player to make his MLB debut for the Marlins in 2023, joining Xavier Edwards, Jeff Lindgren, Eury Pérez and George Soriano.

Featured image courtesy of Miami Marlins