In Wednesday’s Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game, the East Division All-Stars certainly could have used the pitching prowess of Anthony Ranaudo in some capacity as they fell to the West 5-0 at Fenway Park.

Alas, Ranaudo, the Red Sox draftee who decided to leave the Brewster Whitecaps of the East Division on July 19 after pitching 29 2/3 innings over five starts without allowing an earned run, was nowhere to be found on the mound, field or dugout, leaving just his absence to be the two-ton elephant in the stadium of the team that had drafted him 39th overall in June’s MLB Draft.

Ranaudo’s absence in any manner from the Cape League came as a slight surprise given his comments earlier in the season concerning his stay with Brewster.

“I’m here to play for the rest of the summer,” Ranaudo said on July 2. “I’m here to develop. I’m here to get better and move on from there.”

Ranaudo’s manager in Brewster, Tom Myers, however said that he and the rest of his team knew they would eventually lose their ace, especially after his hot start.

“We knew it was only a matter of time before he would go. He’s at a crossroads between going back to LSU or signing a professional contract. It’s something he wanted to spend some time at home with his family to discuss and really think it through,” said Myers, who added that Ranaudo told him he was “disappointed” to be leaving the Cape so early.

But Cape League pitchers aren’t used to being at a crossroads when it comes to choosing between a return to the college ranks or signing a contract to enter the world of professional ball. In fact, only five of the 42 players in Wednesday’s contest were selected in the 2010 draft, with Cotuit pitcher Austin Wood’s selection in the fourth round (131st overall) by the Rays being the closest to Ranaudo’s pick.

No, you have to earn that distinction, and Ranaudo certainly did. After putting up less than stellar numbers (7.32 ERA) in his junior year at LSU, Ranaudo rebounded with authority on the Cape, returning to the form that had led many to call him the best collegiate player in the 2010 draft before a forearm injury set him back some last season. His 0.00 ERA and .112 opponent’s batting average were tops on the Cape before his exit and would have certainly landed him the starting spot in the All-Star Game had he not decided to leave.

To his teammates at LSU and fellow Cape Leaguers, Ranaudo’s turnaround was immediately noticeable.

“He found his stuff. He’s back to what he was. He was dominant. He threw something like 30 innings without giving up a run. He found it,” said fellow Tigers pitcher Matty Ott, whose Harwich Mariners couldn’t muster a hit against Ranaudo over six innings 11 days before he left the Cape.

Why leave then? If he had “found his stuff” and was dominant once again, why not continue to mow down hitters and continue to prove to the Red Sox that he could live up to his original hype? The answer appears to be that he thinks he already did the latter.

“He proved to everyone that when he came out here he’s his old self again,” said LSU and Yarmouth-Dennis infielder Tyler Hanover.

It is that return to greatness that puts Ranaudo at his current crossroads, and it is also why those who see Ranaudo on a daily basis insist he’ll succeed no matter which direction he chooses for his near future.

“Whether he comes back to school or whether he signs from the draft, he’s going to be successful wherever he goes and whatever he does. He’s got the most work desire I’ve ever seen, and he’s definitely a competitor,” Hanover said. “If he signs with the Boston Red Sox, it’s a great pick for the Boston Red Sox, and if he comes back to school, it’s going to be even better for us.”

That being said, with the Aug. 16 deadline to sign with Boston fast approaching, it appears that Ranaudo still hasn’t told some of his cohorts which way he is leaning.

“He’s told me he doesn’t know,” Ott said. “It really is going to be a decision that will be made later on. I haven’t talked money with him, so I don’t know. I’d love to have him back at LSU, but at the same time, he’s got to do what’s best for his career, too.”

Ott did offer that in his personal opinion there’s a “real big chance” that his fellow Bayou Bengal could be playing in Fenway for the next few years to come.

Meanwhile, Myers gave a hint of his own. He mentioned that Ranaudo is going back home to discuss his impending decision not only with his parents but also LSU coach Paul Mainieri. No Theo Epstein. No Red Sox director of amateur scouting Amiel Sawdaye. WEEI.com reported that Ranaudo and the Sox still have yet to begin talks on a contract with Ranaudo or his advisor, Scott Boras, before the impending deadline. The Cape Cod Times also reported that Ranaudo is looking for top-10 money if he does decide that he will give the Sox a chance.

With Aug. 16 coming as quick as a Ranaudo fastball, one thing remains clear. After doing all he can do during his time on the Cape, Ranaudo has put the proverbial ball in the Red Sox’ park without having set foot in it.

7 Comments for “Ranaudo still mulling decision to turn pro or return to LSU”

1. Danny Says:
   July 29th, 2010 at 10:17 am

   Seems like Theo will give a very competitive ‘take it or leave it’ offer just before the deadline. Its in both his and the Sox best interest for him to sign.

2. ken stalls Says:
   July 29th, 2010 at 11:01 am

   Sorry, not much drama here. Boras client, he wants money, he’ll sign. If he really wanted to play baseball, he would have signed already and been in the minors, or at least still be in the Cape.

3. Mike the Tiger Says:
   July 29th, 2010 at 1:09 pm

   GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4. jt Says:
   July 29th, 2010 at 1:18 pm

   I really don’t know the answer to this but, if he has hired an agent how does he get the choice to go back to school?

5. hawkny Says:
   July 29th, 2010 at 4:08 pm

   If the Red Sox can give Mike Cameron $15,000,000, they can sign this kid, who, if he returns to LSUm may very well be a top 5 pick in 2011’s draft

6. BostonSportsPulse Says:
   July 29th, 2010 at 4:56 pm

   The commissioner asks that players who are going to sign for considerably over “slot” wait until August 10th to start working. It’s all a formality. He will sign. I’m sick of hearing about how they haven’t started talking yet.

7. Mike the Tiger Says:
   July 29th, 2010 at 10:39 pm

   RED SOX SUCK!!!!!!! RANAUDO WILL RAPE YOU!!!!!!!!!

Leave a Reply