ESU assistant Ranson gets MLB gig
By Jesse Newell
Originally published 12:46 p.m., November 15, 2007
Updated 12:46 p.m., November 15, 2007
Emporia State baseball pitching coach Matt Ranson has received his call up to the Big Leagues.
The Hornets’ pitching coach will leave at the end of the semester to take a scouting job with Major League Baseball’s Oakland A’s.
“It’s an opportunity to move on to the next level and take a new step,” Ranson said. “I’m excited about it.”
Ranson served two seasons as an assistant for ESU.
“He’s been a big part of our program and has helped the pitching staff tremendously,” ESU coach Bob Fornelli said. “It’s a big loss for us — it’s like losing one of your better players — but it’s great for him.”
Ranson becomes the second consecutive ESU baseball assistant to go on to an MLB job. Yancy Ayres, who helped Fornelli two years ago, also works in the A’s organization.
“I think it speaks volumes to the (ESU) program and the success this program’s had,” Ranson said. “The guy at the top — coach Fornelli — has given me a number of opportunities, not only as a player, but as a coach.
“I’m at this point because of one person, and it’s because of him.”
Ranson was told of the job opening by Ayres, as the two knew each other from coaching together in the Cape Cod summer baseball league.
Ranson’s new duties will be to identify potential baseball prospects who fit into the A’s organizational goals. He will work in a four-state area that includes parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia.
“I know anything Matt does, he’s going to do it to the best of his abilities and probably continue to move up that organization,” Fornelli said.
Before coming to ESU, Ranson served as Fort Hays State’s baseball coach for three years. During that time, he compiled a 108-55 record.
Ranson also pitched for FHSU from 1997-99.
The departure will leave Fornelli thin on his coaching staff.
Fornelli will not hire a new assistant this season, meaning that he will assume the pitching coach duties as well as the managing duties.
The Hornets will receive some coaching help from Tim Barger, who has joined Fornelli as a student assistant.
Barger played third base for ESU last season, earning MIAA honorable mention.