Amari Yolas, who was awarded the Palisadian-Post Cup in 2023 as a three-sport star at Palisades High, has chosen to continue his collegiate baseball career at San Jose State next season. 

Having played the sport since he was five years old, the right-handed pitcher told the Palisadian-Post about his verbal commitment Saturday night.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Yolas, who was in the transfer portal. “It’s a Division I program, which was my goal, and it’s still in California. They made me a good offer. It’s a full ride. I just have to pay for the housing. I’ll probably sign within the week.” 

Yolas pitched the ninth inning for the South Stars in the California Collegiate League’s Stars and Stripes All-Star Game on the Fourth of July at Greater Nevada Field in Reno. After surrendering a leadoff triple, Yolas got a strikeout, got the second out on a sacrifice fly and got the next batter to ground out to wrap up the Stars’ 11-4 victory. He topped 95 miles per hour on the radar gun.   

“Pitching in the All-Star Game was an amazing experience,” Yolas said. “It was my first time playing in front of that many people—almost eight thousand people were there. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to play in that game. I played in the CCL All-Star Game last year also.” 

The California Collegiate League is a premier college summer baseball destination with 10 teams—divided into two divisions of five teams each—from Orange County to Sonoma Valley. Yolas is on the Compton-based MLB Academy Barons has made nine appearances since June 7 with an 0-2 record and three saves, pitching nine innings with 11 strikeouts. 

“Playing in the CCL has helped me get back into my groove,” he said.     

Yolas is pleased he will be playing his senior year in the Golden State after seeing limited action in his junior season at the University of the Cumberlands, a private Christian school in Williamsburg, Kentucky. There, he made two appearances on the hill, allowing one hit and three walks with two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings while also earning Mid-South Conference All-Academic honors as a Fitness & Sports Management major. The Patriots finished 48-10 and won the conference regular season and tournament championships before falling in the opening round of the NAIA playoffs in May. 

“Going to Kentucky for me wasn’t a hard choice,” Yolas said. “I knew I wanted to get out of California for a year and experience life in a whole different state. I was able to focus on baseball and my academics a lot more, and I had a really good time there. I was healthy all season—I just had some setbacks baseball-wise. Even though my season didn’t go as planned I’m forever grateful that I got the opportunity to leave home but nothing beats Cali weather.” 

One of the most naturally gifted athletes who has ever stepped foot on the Pali High campus, Yolas was there as a freshman and sophomore but went to DNA Prep Academy in Chatsworth as a junior to concentrate strictly on baseball. He returned to Palisades for his senior year and he excelled in football, baseball and track. On the gridiron he played both ways, catching 17 passes for 368 yards at wide receiver while making 53 tackles and intercepting four passes at cornerback. He also returned four punts and one kickoff for touchdowns while leading the Dolphins to the City Division I final and making the All-City first team. In the spring, he was equally impressive on the diamond, patrolled center field while pacing the Dolphins in batting average (.477), runs (41), hits (42) and stolen bases (32). He made All-City after leading Palisades to a 26-4 record and a trip to the Open Division semifinals at USC. He was also one of the elite sprinters in the City, finishing second in the 100 meters at the section finals meet.

“He’s always had a cannon for an arm,” said former Pali High baseball coach Mike Voelkel. “Amari had the most God-given skills of any kid I ever had. He threw 93 miles per hour in high school. I watched him in the recent CCL All-Star Game. He gave up a run but pitched very well.”  

After entering the portal, Yolas was shown interest from San Jose State, Jackson State, Dominguez Hills and the University of Arizona before he made the decision to join the Spartans, who compete in the Mountain West Conference. 

“I have something to prove and my mindset is just keep going no matter what,” added Yolas, who reunited with former Pali High teammate Aidan Jbara back in March when Cumberlands swept a three-game series with in-state and Mid-South rival Georgetown College. 

As a freshman at L.A. Valley College in 2024, Yolas had five hits and 11 runs scored in 24 at bats with three RBIs, eight stolen bases and four walks. In eight appearances on the mound, he had a .208 average, 12 strikeouts, six earned runs and 11 walks in 8 1/3 innings. He also played in the outfield, where he had 13 put outs and 16 catches. Among his Monarch teammates were two fellow Dolphins—catcher Nate Sterling and left-handed pitcher Ryan Higgins. At the same time, Yolas was on the track team at West L.A. College and was the Western State Conference 100-meter champion, clocking 10.63 seconds. 

“Unfortunately, I don’t run track anymore but I’d jump on the opportunity if given to me,” Yolas said. “Just baseball for now but if I can run, I will.”   

As a sophomore, Yolas pitched at Cypress College. In 19 appearances (two starts) he was 1-0 with a 6.61 earned run average in 31.1 innings. He had 28 strikeouts (8.04 strikeouts per nine innings) for a Chargers team that went 39-12 (17-4 in Orange Empire Conference) and made the Final Four of the 3C2A state tournament at Mt. San Antonio College.

“The biggest challenge for me since high school is just keeping love for the game,” Yolas admitted. “It was real shaky for me my freshman year. I didn’t have the best season and my desire for the game wasn’t there. But since then, I’m back being who I am and I feel this is the best ball I’ve played my whole life.”