Rafe Schlesinger became the first Sachem East alum in their 20-year history to be selected in the MLB Draft. The 2021 grad was selected in the 4th round by the Cleveland Guardians following his three-year career at the University of Miami where he became one of the top southpaws in the nation.
The last Sachem alum to get selected was Alec Sole in 2014 by Tampa Bay out of St. Louis University.
Rafe has been a high-profile name in the Long Island baseball community for several years. We first profiled back in early 2019 before he stepped foot on a varsity field. His pitching coach at the time, Neal Heaton, stated that he was ahead of where Steven Matz was at the same age. Matz, of course, went on to get selected by the New York Mets in 2009 and has been in the big leagues since 2015. Schlesinger had not recorded a win at the varsity level at that point, but the comparison proved fair as he has since soared to new heights beginning with his outstanding senior season at Sachem East where he was lights out and led the Arrows to the verge of their first County Championship since 2005.
He went on to the University of Miami where he worked his way from a reliever to a front end starting pitcher. The turning point was during the 2023 NCAA Regional when he fired 7 shutout innings of relief against the University of Texas allowing just 4 hits. After that, he pitched in the Cape Cod League, earning national recognition from MLB teams.
In 2024, while he didn’t necessarily dominate, he was asked to do what he hadn’t in his collegiate career and that was take the mound every Saturday night and give length. He started 15 games, winning five games and notching 78.2 innings. His fastball routinely sat in the low-to-mid 90s and touched 97 with a wipeout slider. When you couple in his current ability, tough arm slot and the level of competition he played, it’s not easy to see why MLB teams were eager to select him early in Day 2.
Rafe will be a player to follow in the coming years, as players with his makeup and ability have a good track record of moving along in the minor leagues – especially in a dominant pitching development system like Cleveland.
I had a chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say…
How would you describe the emotions of the past few days between the lead up to the draft and hearing your name called?
The process was exciting, hearing big league teams show interest was a dream come true itself. As the draft got closer I was just ready to get selected and find out where I end up. It’s a long, stressful process but I’d do it all over again if it meant for the one moment of hearing my name get announced.
How would you describe your time at Miami?
Miami was a great experience, we got treated like big leaguers everywhere we went. We received new gear every weekend, chartered flights, playing in the ACC. I went through some of the best and worst times of my playing career while there and they stuck with me through it all. I couldn’t be prouder to rep the green and orange for the rest of my life.
What was it like to be surrounded with friends and family during that thrilling moment?
Having everyone down there from immediate family to coaches at 9U meant a ton because they all were genuinely excited for me and wanted the best for me. Even during the stressful hours leading up it was nice having people to talk to.
What are your plans moving forward?
My goal moving forward is to play in the bigs as soon as possible. I trust the Guardians and their development and I trust my work ethic and skills that I can help Cleveland win a World Series in two years.
