A dream, a workout & a T-shirt: The story behind Hauppauge's Michael Oliveto being drafted by the Tigers
Michael Oliveto chose to join the Tigers after they selected him with the 34th overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft on July 13.
Top Stories
Most high school grads have decisions to make after they graduate.
Which comforter to bring to college? Who to pick for a roommate? Which graduation parties to attend.
Hauppauge's Michael Oliveto had a bigger decision. He had to choose between attending Yale or joining the Detroit Tigers.
"It was difficult to pass on Yale. I mean, like it was really hard," Michael told me.
Michael chose to join the Tigers after they selected him with the 34th overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft on July 13.
"To get that call was just insane. It really was. I'm so grateful for this opportunity," he said talking to me over Zoom from the Tigers minor league headquarters in Lakeland, Florida.
That's where Michael has joined the Tigers other draft picks for a "Bridge League" this summer, which will consist of exhibition games and lots of drills on non-game days.
"It's go out, roll out of bed, play baseball. That's just about every kid's dream to do everything like this," he said with a smile.
Michael was an All-County catcher at Hauppauge High School and led Suffolk County in home runs in each of the past two seasons.
This year, he won the County's "Silve Slugger" Award.
Besides hitting homers, Michael is also a bit of a psychic.
He said he met or talked with every Major League team in the leadup to the draft.
Some interviews were in person. Some were phone calls. Some team members came to his house.
The Tigers hosted Michael for a workout at its Major League stadium, Comerica Park in Detroit.
He even hit a home run while hitting in front of their scouts and coaches!
He said the workout left him with a "good feeling."
Afterwards, he and his mom went to a Target next to the Tigers' stadium, where they made a wise purchase.
"That was the only workout we went to that we decided it would be cool to buy team gear for the family. All based on a feeling and a vibe," he said. "It was really cool. It was like foreshadowing."
That's how the family had Tigers shirts ready to go on draft night right after the Tigers called Michael's name!
"It just felt like a really good fit," Michael said explaining the "vibe" he got from the Tigers personnel in Detroit.
Apparently, the Tigers felt the same way.
