Soldra is the first Cheshire Academy alum to be drafted to Major League Baseball.
AJ Soldra ’23, a former post-graduate outfielder at Cheshire Academy, was chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 16th round of the 2025 Major League Baseball draft.
Cats Head Baseball Coach Anthony Giano P’19,’20,’23 certainly isn’t surprised.
“He had tremendous talent. His talent was unbelievable. He could run, hit, throw, steal bases, great defensively, and has a cannon for an arm,” Giano told the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL), where Soldra is playing this summer. “[He’s an] unbelievable athlete, but his leadership and love for the game was incredible, too.”
A standout at both New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and Seton Hall during his first two college years, Soldra committed to the University of Connecticut for this fall before Monday’s draft announcement.
Soldra propelled the Cats during his PG season, with an impressive .476 on-base percentage and 20 runs in 15 games. He stole 16 bases.
Soldra was the only PG Giano has ever named captain of the team.
As a freshman at NJIT, Soldra posted a .889 OPS with 11 extra-inning base hits. A summer with the Norwich Sea Unicorns saw his OPS jump to .964 and he hit an impressive eight triples. At Seton Hall, he developed his power stroke, with 24 extra-inning hits and 30 walks.
A lefty, he’s known for his good speed and contact skills. If he doesn’t sign with the Dodgers, he plans to transfer to UConn.
A Connecticut native, Soldra grew up with a Mets-loving dad and a mom who rooted for the Yankees, and he tried his hand at many sports.
“I played everything growing up, but nothing stuck like baseball did,” Soldra said.
Read the full story from the Cape Code Baseball League.
Learn more about Cheshire Academy Athletics.
