Jacob Amaya DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Chicago White Sox infielder Jacob Amaya (hip) is starting at shortstop and batting ninth in Friday's Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds. After taking a few days to rest due to a hip injury that he suffered earlier in the week, Amaya is ready to return as he tries to win the shortstop job heading into Opening Day later this month. The 26-year-old is probably on the outside looking in right now alongside prospect Chase Meidroth and Brooks Baldwin. Amaya has just two hits in 16 at-bats during Cactus League play entering Friday, including eight punchouts in nine games. The former 11th-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 is going to have to do a lot in a short amount of time to change the White Sox's mind to open the regular season. He hit .176 with no homers and three RBI in 24 games with the White Sox and Houston Astros in 2024.

Chicago White Sox shortstop Jacob Amaya left Monday's 10-3 Cactus League loss to the Athletics after experiencing left hip tightness. The injury doesn't sound serious, so consider the 26-year-old day-to-day for now. The former 11th-round draft pick has been battling the Sox's fourth-overall prospect Colson Montgomery to be the team's Opening Day shortstop, although it appeared Montgomery had the inside track even before the injury. Amaya was 2-for-15 (.133) through eight spring appearances with a 2:7 BB:K. The right-handed hitter spent most of last season with Houston's Triple-A affiliate, but does have a little major league experience. In 28 career games, he's slashed .182/.222/.195 with no home runs and two stolen bases. Without a secure role, there's no fantasy interest tied to Amaya at this point.

The Chicago White Sox announced on Monday that they claimed infielder Jacob Amaya off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles and designated outfielder Zach DeLoach for assignment in a corresponding move to make room for Amaya on the 40-man roster. Amaya is returning to the White Sox after he was designated for assignment earlier this offseason and claimed by Baltimore. The 26-year-old will once again provide organizational infield depth for the Pale Hose in 2025 and will most likely begin the year at Triple-A Charlotte. The former 11th-round selection of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 played in 24 games for the White Sox and Houston Astros in 2024 and went 12-for-68 (.176) with no homers, three RBI, a steal, four runs scored and 28 strikeouts in 72 trips to the plate. He's nowhere near the fantasy radar.