🚨 WALK OFF GRAND SLAM 🚨
Hauppauge junior Mike Oliveto crushes a walk-off grand slam as the Eagles overcame a late 7-2 deficit to win 10-7 and improve to 7-0 pic.twitter.com/aFHDWjUBaF
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 8, 2024
2024 was a dream season for the Hauppauge Eagles. Their catcher, Michael Oliveto, parlayed that into a dream 2025 for himself. The 6’3 left-handed hitting catcher was selected by the Detroit Tigers with the 34th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft.
The Yale-commit had scouts following his every move this season, as he was the recipient of Blue Chip Prospect’s Silver Slugger Award given to the top hitter in Suffolk County. He batted .435 with 9 HRs (including one in his final high school at bat for his 100th career hit), 25 RBIs, 31 runs scored, .633 OBP and 1.617 OPS. Additionally, he drew 14 intentional walks, caught 10 runners stealing and picked off 4 runners.
Oliveto, who cited Mike Piazza as his favorite player, carved his name into Hauppauge lore with a historic high school career in which he led the Eagles to the Class AA Long Island Championship over Division in 2024 and they were one win away from capturing the New York State Championship.
He received GameChanger’s Play of the Year for 2024 for his walk-off home run against Comsewogue to send the Eagles into the County Championship, which ended up being against Comsewogue who advanced through the loser’s bracket.
His high school coach, Josh Gutes, had the following to say about Oliveto during our season preview:
“He’a the total package,” said Gutes. “He’s a true leader, he’s the best teammate, he truly cares about everyone’s success. He can go 0-for-4, but if we win, he’s okay with it. He’s just a star of a human being and a star of a baseball player. He is a professional baseball player on a high school field.”
Oliveto climbed up draft boards this year – going from a fringe prospect to one of the elite catching prospects in the country. He participated in the MLB Draft Combine along with fellow LI-natives Jayden Stroman and Nick Frusco.
The slot value for the 34th pick in the draft is $2.83 million. Next he will have to decide whether to sign, and begin his professional career or attend Yale University. The deadline to sign is July 15.
