By Rob Mason, PSO President of Sports Operations
Sep 16, 2019

As former 1st Rd pick Anthony Ranaudo continues to shift his focus from being the best MLB pitcher possible, to now hosting Up & In, he sits down with Pro Sports Outlook to discuss many things including his time at LSU, keys to success, future of Up & In, and more! Check out the major takeaways below ⬇️. 

  • Anthony Ranaudo was the ace of LSU’s National Championship team in 2009 as a Sophomore
  • Ranaudo finished w/ the 3rd most SO in NCAA Baseball in 2009
  • Boston Red Sox drafted Ranaudo 39th overall in the supplemental 1st Rd of the 2010 MLB Draft
  • Rated the #67 prospect in MLB by Baseball America for the 2011 season
  • Pitched 86.0 MLB innings from 2014-16 w/ Boston, Texas Rangers, & Chicago White Sox
  • Pitched for the Korean Baseball Organization in 2017
  • Born in Freehold Township, NJ
  • Started The Up & In Show that goes “up & in” the minds of their special guests 

Start: 0:24

‘Up & In’ is commonly known in the baseball world as a high fastball near the batter’s face that serves the purpose of brushing the hitter off the plate, usually to set up the outside corner later in the at-bat. For Ranaudo, Up & In isn’t just a baseball reference, but also the terminology of “Up & In” is used to describe going up in a person’s mind and inside their perspective. The 2010 1st Rd Pick described what all goes into a podcast, his goals in business, potential guests, how relationships are key, and more.

Start: 4:20

When asked what is his favorite part of playing baseball was, Ranaudo didn’t hesitate to state the competitive spirit of the game. That competitiveness that drove him in MLB is clearly shaping his post-career early success with Up & In and his other ventures. He credits his Dad as the biggest reason for his success as an entrepreneur himself that instilled a work ethic into his son at a young age. On the field, Ranaudo’s competitive edge came before even taking the field. The confidence of knowing he worked harder than the opposing hitter along with his Northern Jersey edge played major roles during his playing career, and that mentality will translate well to his post-career aspirations. Him taking notes on hitters and the time he put into his craft in his free time serve as a great example to any young player hoping to make it to the highest level.

Start: 11:27

An interesting dynamic always intertwined to Anthony Ranuado’s life is the famous Yankees-Red Sox rivalry that is considered one of the greatest in sports history. He grew up a Yankees fan in New Jersey, but was drafted by the Boston Red Sox. After he signed his rookie signing bonus, he worked his way up Boston’s minor league system that once had him featured as a top-100 MLB prospect. Hearing him share the story of making his MLB debut against his childhood team is worth watching the clip above alone.

Start: 12:20

In addition to the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry highlighted above, Ranaudo’s favorite player growing up was the Captain Derek Jeter. In identifying the main reason Jeter was chosen as Ranaudo’s role model, he pointed out Jeter’s consistency in playing the game the right way. In a development that is usually reserved for dreams and fiction stories, Anthony Ranaudo was in the (opposing) dugout for his hero’s final Major League game.

Start: 18:01

While Anthony Ranaudo’s career MLB numbers are admittedly not up to his standards, the recently turned 30-year-old hasn’t shut the door on a potential return. He pitched 86 MLB innings from 2014-2016 before heading to the KBO in 2017. He’s since taken the time away from the game to better his education and work on his post-career objectives. However, Ranaudo stated he’s now hitting mid-90’s in bullpen sessions and might fully pursue a return to the game in the not-so-distant future as he gears up for the World Baseball Classic. It sounds like comeback season is in the works for the 6’7 hurler.

Start: 2:05

Pro Sports Outlook mostly focuses strictly on what happens inside the lines and stays away from off-field controversies, a players’ personal life decisions, “reports” of trade interest, etc. And while Anthony Ranaudo doesn’t get involved in the referred clickbait that many other sports media companies subject themselves to, he does focus on things outside the actual game itself.

Ranaudo described a real passion for helping others and making a difference. Baseball was the platform that opened the doors for him to be able to do all of these things, but it was never ALL about baseball. Some things are bigger than baseball (or any sport) and Ranaudo’s journey proves it as he’s on track to make a bigger positive impact in society. 

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