Gioskar Amaya Catching On in South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - In five years with the Cubs organization, Gioskar Amaya earned all-star honors in four seasons. Heading into year six, the Cubs directed Amaya back to the only league where he didn't reach all-league status: the Midwest League.

A Florida State League All-Star in 2014 with the Daytona Cubs, then Chicago's Advanced-A affiliate, Amaya would start 2015 back a level with South Bend.

"Sometimes you need to take a step back to take two steps later," Amaya said.

The step back is done from a crouched, rather than upright, position. Amaya is in his first season as a catcher after making the move from the middle infield. The Cubs first approached Amaya during their fall instructionals and presented the idea of the new position. Minor league field coordinator Tim Cossins told Amaya, who's blessed with quick hands, a smooth line-drive swing and some gap-to-gap power, the Cubs thought he could be a good catcher and reach the major leagues quicker.

"I was surprised," Amaya said of his initial reaction. "I played all my life at shortstop and second base. Last year I had a good season and didn't make too many errors. I think I played good. But they make that decision. They think I can go faster to the big leagues in catching."

So Amaya, whose prior catching experience spanned three innings as a 10-year old fill in, strapped on the shin guards and chest protector with an all-in mentality: "Let's do it," he thought to himself.

"I felt different," Amaya said. "When I tried for the first time, they said, 'You got good hands. You look good. So let's work hard and be prepared for the next season.'"

Amaya returned to his native Venezuela in the winter and played for the Cubs' squad in the Parallel Baseball League. He spent roughly 25 games behind the plate, at first logging just five or six innings at a time. Amaya also helped out around the infield at third base, shortstop and second. When he arrived in Arizona for spring training, Amaya focused exclusively on catching.

Assigned to South Bend, Amaya came out of the gates sluggishly at the plate, an uncharacteristic start for a player who hit .377 in the AZL in 2011, .300 in Short-Season Boise in 2012 and .276 in High-A last season.

"He played here before. He did well. He played at a higher level, did well," South Bend manager Jimmy Gonzalez said. "I think with the hitting, he kind of came and just expected to dominate. It didn't happen at first, and he probably was putting that pressure on himself."

Amaya has since settled in, risen back toward the heart of the Cubs order and nudged his average as high as .277. Gonzalez, a former catcher himself, said Amaya has done better than expected and progressively improved behind the plate.

Amaya said Cossins and Gonzalez have been helpful answering his questions about the new position. Before games, Amaya looks forward to catching bullpens and immerses himself in video.

"I work hard every day and just try to do my best every day," Amaya said.

At just 22 years old, Amaya is a veteran in the Chicago system. He grew up in Edo Carabobo, Venezuela, the second-youngest of six children. Amaya's father, Oscar, was a solid baseball player and nearly played professionally in Venezuela before focusing on work (Amaya's first name is a combination of his mother's name, Gisela, and his father's). In addition to his three older sisters, Amaya has an older brother, also named Oscar, a professional basketball player in Venezuela, and a younger brother, Giovan, a 14-year old playing baseball back in his home country.

Now in his sixth year in the Cubs system, Amaya has settled into life in the United States with a new family. He lives in South Bend with fellow countrymen Gleyber Torres, Jeffrey Baez and Erick Leal, among others. After leaving Four Winds Field, they'll return home and discuss the day's game - what worked, what didn't and what they want to change tomorrow.

"Your friends in baseball, you always talk about baseball and look how you can get in the big leagues," Amaya said. "That's what I do. I look at the guys in the big leagues right now."

Amaya raves about Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and Royals backstop Salvador Perez. He's also spoken with Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos, a native of Punto Fijo, Venezuela. Chirinos was originally signed by the Cubs in 2000 as a middle infielder and rose slowly up the organizational ladder. In 2008, Chirinos gave catching a try before making the full-time move for the 2009 campaign. The 31-year old is now in his second full season with the Rangers.

"He just told me, 'Focus and try to work every day, catch a lot of bullpens. That helps a lot in the game to know how your pitchers are doing and where the pitch is going. You know every day your pitchers and that's big with confidence for you,'" Amaya said of Chirinos' message. "He told me, just focus on that. … 'You now are a catcher, so you need to focus on catching.'"