West Potomac grad Sara chasing big league dream

Jamie Sara’s decision in 2016 to play college baseball rather than start his professional career did not pay off in regard to future draft position.

Sara, however, hopes his maturation during three years at the College of William & Mary will benefit his long-term future on the diamond.

The Philadelphia Phillies on June 5 selected Sara, a West Potomac High School graduate and flame-throwing right-handed pitcher, in the 25th round (No. 750 overall) of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft. Sara signed with the organization and is currently in rookie ball as a reliever for the Gulf Coast League Phillies East in Clearwater, Florida.

“It feels amazing,” Sara said, “to be a professional baseball player.”

The Gulf Coast League season began Monday and Sara made his debut Thursday against the Gulf Coast League Tigers West. Sara suffered the loss, allowing five earned runs and four hits in 1/3 of an inning. He walked one and struck out one.

The next few weeks are essentially an audition for Sara and fellow draft picks to try to move their way up the organizational ladder. The next step for Sara would likely be the Phillies’ short season Single-A affiliate in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the Williamsport Crosscutters.

“I’m just trying to go out and get back in a rhythm of throwing to live hitters and in games,” Sara said, “and adjust to professional baseball and getting back into the grind.”

Sara’s first opportunity to turn pro came straight out of high school, when the San Diego Padres selected the then-18-year-old hurler in the 12th round (No. 354 overall) of the 2016 draft.

Sara was a 6-foot-3, multisport athlete at West Potomac. He was a post player for the boys’ basketball program, where he finished his career with 770 points and 500 rebounds. His senior year he helped lead the Wolverines to a district title.

On the baseball diamond, Sara caused plenty of damage in the batter’s box as a slugger who mashed many majestic home runs. On the mound, Sara finished his Wolverine career with a 17-strikeout effort against Woodson in the Conference 7 tournament, and a gutsy performance in an extra-inning defeat against eventual state champion Chantilly, when he received a no decision after allowing one unearned run while striking out 10 over 7 1/3 innings in the region tournament.

Fresh off a decorated prep career, Sara grappled with the decision of what to do next. He negotiated with the Padres and was “50/50” about which path to travel, but ultimately chose to attend William & Mary.

Three years later, Sara was drafted a second time, but fell 13 rounds. Regardless, he’s glad he chose to go to William & Mary.

“I felt like it was the right time for me to go” pro, said Sara, who could have returned to William & Mary for his senior season. “I’ve matured and improved my game. … William & Mary gave me an opportunity to mature as a baseball player and as a person.”

In 2019, Sara made 17 appearances for the Tribe, all out of the bullpen. He posted an 0-1 record with a 2.87 ERA, allowing 10 hits and walking 19 while striking out 22 in 15 2/3 innings.

Sara said he has worked on “becoming a better pitcher, holding runners, fielding my position, developing myself as a smart player rather than a kid who throws hard and has a good arm.”

Chris Giblin was the pitching coach at West Potomac for five seasons, including Sara’s final three with the Wolverines. He is the owner of Ace Pitching & Arm Care in Northern Virginia and worked with Sara earlier this month before Sara left for Florida.

“Jamie always had the potential,” Giblin said. “He had the right body. He was a long, lean kid with a good arm.”

Giblin said Sara’s fastball was clocked at 91 mph prior to his senior season. By the end of high school, Sara, as a starting pitcher, consistently threw his fastball 87 to 91 and could touch 93. Three years later, as a reliver, Sara sits in the low-to-mid 90s and touched 98 one year ago.

Giblin said building strength in the weight room and taking care of his arm were two areas in which Sara needed to improve.

“I’d say the biggest difference (with Sara now) is maturity,” Giblin said. “When he was in high school, he was one of those kids that got away with being the better kid with pure skill and athleticism. He got into college and it was a shocking moment. … Every kid is on the same playing field. “

Sara needs to continue working on his secondary pitches, Giblin said. Sara also throws a slider and is developing a change-up.

“In the minors, everyone can hit a fastball,” Giblin said. “You need to find what separates you from everyone else on the team.”

For now, Sara is staying at a Holiday Inn Express in Clearwater with his teammates and trying to work his way up the Phillies minor league system, content with his decision three years ago to attend college.

“The past few years, I’ve seen a lot of stuff happen, good and bad,” Sara said. “… On the field, off the field, with friends and relationships. … Just having those experiences is something I won’t regret.”

Jamie Sara’s decision in 2016 to play college baseball rather than start his professional career did not pay off in regard to future draft position.

Sara, however, hopes his maturation during three years at the College of William & Mary will benefit his long-term future on the diamond.

The Philadelphia Phillies on June 5 selected Sara, a West Potomac High School graduate and flame-throwing right-handed pitcher, in the 25th round (No. 750 overall) of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft. Sara signed with the organization and is currently in rookie ball as a reliever for the Gulf Coast League Phillies East in Clearwater, Florida.

“It feels amazing,” Sara said, “to be a professional baseball player.”

The Gulf Coast League season began Monday, June 24 and Sara had yet to make an appearance through three games. The next few weeks are essentially an audition for Sara and fellow draft picks to try to move their way up the organizational ladder. The next step for Sara would likely be the Phillies’ short season Single-A affiliate in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the Williamsport Crosscutters.

“I’m just trying to go out and get back in a rhythm of throwing to live hitters and in games,” Sara said, “and adjust to professional baseball and getting back into the grind.”

Sara’s first opportunity to turn pro came straight out of high school, when the San Diego Padres selected the then-18-year-old hurler in the 12th round (No. 354 overall) of the 2016 draft.

Sara was a 6-foot-3, multisport athlete at West Potomac. He was a post player and significant contributor for the boys’ basketball program. On the baseball diamond, Sara caused plenty of damage in the batter’s box as a slugger who mashed many majestic home runs. On the mound, Sara finished his Wolverine career with a 17-strikeout effort against Woodson in the Conference 7 tournament, and a gutsy performance in an extra-inning defeat against eventual state champion Chantilly, when he received a no decision after allowing one unearned run while striking out 10 over 7 1/3 innings in the region tournament.

Fresh off a decorated prep career, Sara grappled with the decision of what to do next. He negotiated with the Padres and was “50/50” about which path to travel, but ultimately chose to attend William & Mary.

Three years later, Sara was drafted a second time, but fell 13 rounds. Regardless, he’s glad he chose to go to William & Mary.

“I felt like it was the right time for me to go” pro, said Sara, who could have returned to William & Mary for his senior season. “I’ve matured and improved my game. … William & Mary gave me an opportunity to mature as a baseball player and as a person.”

In 2019, Sara made 17 appearances for the Tribe, all out of the bullpen. He posted an 0-1 record with a 2.87 ERA, allowing 10 hits and walking 19 while striking out 22 in 15 2/3 innings.

Sara said he has worked on “becoming a better pitcher, holding runners, fielding my position, developing myself as a smart player rather than a kid who throws hard and has a good arm.”

Chris Giblin was the pitching coach at West Potomac for five seasons, including Sara’s final three with the Wolverines. He is the owner of Ace Pitching & Arm Care in Northern Virginia and worked with Sara earlier this month before Sara left for Florida.

“Jamie always had the potential,” Giblin said. “He had the right body. He was a long, lean kid with a good arm.”

Giblin said Sara’s fastball was clocked at 91 mph prior to his senior season. By the end of high school, Sara, as a starting pitcher, consistently threw his fastball 87 to 91 and could touch 93. Three years later, as a reliver, Sara sits in the low-to-mid 90s and touched 98 one year ago.

Giblin said building strength in the weight room and taking care of his arm were two areas in which Sara needed to improve.

“I’d say the biggest difference (with Sara now) is maturity,” Giblin said. “When he was in high school, he was one of those kids that got away with being the better kid with pure skill and athleticism. He got into college and it was a shocking moment. … Every kid is on the same playing field. “

Sara needs to continue working on his secondary pitches, Giblin said. Sara also throws a slider and is developing a change-up.

“In the minors, everyone can hit a fastball,” Giblin said. “You need to find what separates you from everyone else on the team.”

For now, Sara is staying at a Holiday Inn Express in Clearwater with his teammates and trying to work his way up the Phillies minor league system, content with his decision three years ago to attend college.

“The past few years, I’ve seen a lot of stuff happen, good and bad,” Sara said. “… On the field, off the field, with friends and relationships. … Just having those experiences is something I won’t regret.”