Head of Baseball Training and Development

Rafael Tejada

Coach Rafael Tejeda was born and raised in the Dominican Republic.  Coach Raf developed a love for the game starting at 7 years old and grew up on the baseball field.  Playing in neighborhood little league, he quickly caught the eye of the “buscones” - the coaches who prepared him to be seen by the scouts for professional baseball.  Looked at by several pro teams, but without offers to sign, at the age of 21, he came to the U.S. to play college baseball.  As a freshman at Florida Memorial University, Coach Raf put up great numbers and was a force offensively. He then transferred to Miami Dade Community College where he played the Fall season, competing with some of the best catchers in Florida for a starting position, but left the program after sustaining an injury.  Transferring to Southwestern Community College, he was the starting catcher, won the school’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year award and was named to the NJCAA Region XI, All-Region Second Team.  Coach Raf finished his last two years of college baseball at Judson University, making the Dean’s List and graduating in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sports Management/Exercise Science.  Soon thereafter, Coach Raf started his coaching career in New York City. He has coached young players at many of the top local baseball organizations, as well as establishing Top Level Athletic Performance LLC to train high school and college-level players as they seek to further their athletic careers.