University of Memphis Athletics
Former Tiger Adam Amar Earns Invite to Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training
Sep 17, 2007 | Baseball
Sept. 17, 2007
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - After a record-setting career as a Tiger and a much-traveled summer in the ranks of Independent baseball, former Memphis first baseman Adam Amar will get a chance at making it into a big league farm system, as he was offered an invitation to participate in 2008 spring training workouts with the Toronto Blue Jays. Amar, who is Memphis' all-time record holder in games played, hits and RBI, impressed Toronto scouts in a workout last week.
"It's a relief to know that all the hard and success that I've had in college and Independent ball has paid off," said Amar. "I'd like to thank my coaches and my teammates for the support and the Toronto Blue Jays for giving me the opportunity to play professional baseball. I'm going to do the best I can."
After completing his collegiate eligibility, the 6-4 first baseman spent the summer months traveling the country, playing first with the Rome Coppers of the New York State League. He hit .385 with two homers, nine doubles and 12 RBI with the Coppers, but after 10 games and a month of action, the league folded, forcing him to look elsewhere to continue his baseball career. While with Rome, Amar was selected to participate in, and won a Home Run Derby against teammate Joe Dempsey and a select player from the Syracuse Chiefs (AAA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays) roster. Amar was named to the New York State League's All-Star team and was touted as the League's MVP.
The Lake Mary, Fla., native then worked out for the St. Louis Cardinals A affiliate, Batavia Muckdogs, of the New York-Penn League before signing with the Reno Silver Sox of the Golden Baseball League on Aug. 5.
Just as in his Memphis career, Amar swung a hot bat for manager and former big leaguer Les Lancaster in Reno. In 24 games he posted a .354 average, 19 RBI, 11 doubles and pounded out five home runs--three of which came in a career night against Orange County on Aug. 24.
