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Robert Ransom Signs Professional Contract with the Chicago Cubs 8/21/2003
Robert Ransom Signs Professional Contract with the Chicago Cubs 8-21-03 Nashville, Tenn. – Robert Ransom, (6-3, 225, Atlanta, Ga.) has signed a professional baseball contract with the Chicago Cubs and will forgo his final year of eligibility with the Commodores. The right-handed pitcher was drafted in the 23rd round (673rd pick) of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft (June 4). Ransom played summer ball with the Brewster Whitecaps where he made four appearances, including three starts, and recorded a 2-0 mark with a 0.47 ERA. In 19 innings, he struck out 15 and walked four while allowing eight hits and two runs (one earned). “It’s been a long summer and I’ve had some days of high anxiety,” Ransom said. “But, Chicago came back with one last offer Monday and I decided to take it.” Ransom will attend Vanderbilt for the Fall semester. He leaves for Spring Training in Mesa, Ariz., in February. “There were a lot of reasons I considered staying at Vanderbilt,” Ransom added. “I want to graduate and I wanted to play for Coach (Tim) Corbin and be part of a very strong pitching staff. But playing professional baseball, especially with the Cubs, is something I couldn’t pass up.” In his junior season with the Commodores, Ransom totaled a career-high 74 strikeouts in 92.2 innings pitched. He made 15 starts, including 11 vs. SEC teams. He owned a 4-3 overall record giving up 90 hits and 51 runs (42 earned) for a 4.08 ERA. He also totaled 32 walks. In his three-year career with the Commodores, Ransom owned an 8-8 record with two saves. He made 49 appearances while starting in 22 games. He pitched 184.2 innings giving up 203 hits and 117 runs (98 earned) for a 4.78 ERA. Ransom also totaled 137 strikeouts and 72 walks. “I’m happy for Robert personally that he’s been able to get what he wants financially and pursue a career in professional baseball,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Tim Corbin said. “Obviously, I knew that this could happen late in the summer and it is precisely why we recruited heavily in the pitching department.” Ransom is the 53rd Commodore to ever be drafted in the major leagues since 1971 and the eighth Commodore taken in the last five years. |
