He wasn't a draft pick, but Adam Amar is already tearing up the field for the Auburn Doubledays.
Unlike teammates who were drafted out of high school or college, the first baseman took a different route to Auburn - he comes from the Independent League.
Amar played for the Golden Baseball League in Reno, Nev. for the Reno Silver Sox where he was batting a .360 and recorded five home runs before getting invited to an independent workout with the Toronto Blue Jays in September.
“It went really well,” Amar said of the workout. “Then I got invited to spring training where they told me I had a shot at making it on a team. I played well during spring training and had a lot of success, which brought me here.”
And he's fitting in nicely. As of Friday, Amar is batting .297 with two home runs and five RBIs.
Despite not being a draft pick, Amar still gets his chance to shine and is swinging the bat well for the Doubledays, which he always believed he could do.
“It feels good to have made it this far,” Amar said. “I am really lucky to be on the team and get to play. It's not cool that I didn't get drafted, though. I always felt that I had the potential to play at a professional level despite not being drafted. I never gave up on my dream, I have a lot of family and friends who stuck behind me and now I am getting my chance.”
One of those friends that has been a constant mentor and role model is former Cy Young award winner Frank Viola, who coached Amar at the Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando, Fla.
“He is like a second dad to me,” Amar said. “I was very fortunate to get the opportunity to play for him and he has become like family to me and someone that has taught me so much. He taught me about the game and how to be a better baseball player. I try to talk to him every other day, he is a big part of my life and my success as a ball player.”
Amar's parents were both born in Romania while he was born in New Jersey. He moved to Orlando at the age 7 and his family now resides there.
“It is nice to have my parents in Orlando still because they can see me during spring training,” Amar said.
Amar moved to Tennessee to attend college at the University of Memphis where he lived for five years. He worked towards an economics degree (he only needs six more class hours left) and put together a successful college baseball career.
As a walk-on freshman with the Tigers, Amar earned himself a scholarship and became a starter at first base for four years. Amar also was all-conference, took the batting title his junior year with a .410 average, was a preseason All-American and was selected first team All-Conference USA his sophomore, junior and senior years.
Amar finished in the league's top 10 his senior season for hits. His junior year, he was one of four Memphis Tigers to post 80 or more hits.
Amar is known for his skills with the bat, so as he is no stranger to multi-home run games. And he is really hoping to be able to show those talents at the plate for the Doubledays
“I was one triple short of the cycle the other night,” Amar said. “They told me I needed rocket boosters. I went out there and when I grounded to first base I knew it wouldn't be a triple. I had hoped though but I didn't care because the team winning is more important. I really want to take this opportunity here and mature as a hitter and improve as a ball player all around. I know I have the potential to do really well so I am excited to get the chance.”
Mainly playing as the team's designated hitter, Amar doesn't have a preference where he plays as long as he gets out there.
“I don't care what position I play,” Amar said. “I just want to play - first, second, shortstop - put me wherever. I just love the game.”
When he is not fantasizing about playing Major League Baseball, Amar is thinking about his college degree that he plans to finish soon.
“I know that if this doesn't pan out, which I truly hope it does, I have something to bounce back on,” he said. “I can really see myself playing in the big leagues though, I just have to keep working at it.”
Amar played for the Golden Baseball League in Reno, Nev. for the Reno Silver Sox where he was batting a .360 and recorded five home runs before getting invited to an independent workout with the Toronto Blue Jays in September.
“It went really well,” Amar said of the workout. “Then I got invited to spring training where they told me I had a shot at making it on a team. I played well during spring training and had a lot of success, which brought me here.”
And he's fitting in nicely. As of Friday, Amar is batting .297 with two home runs and five RBIs.
Despite not being a draft pick, Amar still gets his chance to shine and is swinging the bat well for the Doubledays, which he always believed he could do.
“It feels good to have made it this far,” Amar said. “I am really lucky to be on the team and get to play. It's not cool that I didn't get drafted, though. I always felt that I had the potential to play at a professional level despite not being drafted. I never gave up on my dream, I have a lot of family and friends who stuck behind me and now I am getting my chance.”
One of those friends that has been a constant mentor and role model is former Cy Young award winner Frank Viola, who coached Amar at the Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando, Fla.
“He is like a second dad to me,” Amar said. “I was very fortunate to get the opportunity to play for him and he has become like family to me and someone that has taught me so much. He taught me about the game and how to be a better baseball player. I try to talk to him every other day, he is a big part of my life and my success as a ball player.”
Amar's parents were both born in Romania while he was born in New Jersey. He moved to Orlando at the age 7 and his family now resides there.
“It is nice to have my parents in Orlando still because they can see me during spring training,” Amar said.
Amar moved to Tennessee to attend college at the University of Memphis where he lived for five years. He worked towards an economics degree (he only needs six more class hours left) and put together a successful college baseball career.
As a walk-on freshman with the Tigers, Amar earned himself a scholarship and became a starter at first base for four years. Amar also was all-conference, took the batting title his junior year with a .410 average, was a preseason All-American and was selected first team All-Conference USA his sophomore, junior and senior years.
Amar finished in the league's top 10 his senior season for hits. His junior year, he was one of four Memphis Tigers to post 80 or more hits.
Amar is known for his skills with the bat, so as he is no stranger to multi-home run games. And he is really hoping to be able to show those talents at the plate for the Doubledays
“I was one triple short of the cycle the other night,” Amar said. “They told me I needed rocket boosters. I went out there and when I grounded to first base I knew it wouldn't be a triple. I had hoped though but I didn't care because the team winning is more important. I really want to take this opportunity here and mature as a hitter and improve as a ball player all around. I know I have the potential to do really well so I am excited to get the chance.”
Mainly playing as the team's designated hitter, Amar doesn't have a preference where he plays as long as he gets out there.
“I don't care what position I play,” Amar said. “I just want to play - first, second, shortstop - put me wherever. I just love the game.”
When he is not fantasizing about playing Major League Baseball, Amar is thinking about his college degree that he plans to finish soon.
“I know that if this doesn't pan out, which I truly hope it does, I have something to bounce back on,” he said. “I can really see myself playing in the big leagues though, I just have to keep working at it.”
The Citizens' Say
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