Anthony Spataro joined Lance Ratchford's staff at Marist in the fall of 2022. Spataro will be in charge of the Red Foxes' offense and infield defense. Spataro also heads the base running for the Red Foxes.
"Anthony has become one of the best young baseball minds in the region," Ratchford said "Everywhere he has been he has elevated the team's offensive play. He's a proven winner coming off of a 2022 Patriot League championship with Army and having a successful four-year run at Siena."
Spataro joined the Red Foxes following a season at Army West Point, where he served as an assistant coach. During the 2022 season the Black Knights won their fourth straight Patriot League Championship, advancing to the 2022 Hattiesburg Regional. Spataro oversaw an offense that led the Patriot League in batting average, hits, doubles, walks, on-base percentage, and stolen bases. Defensively while overseeing the infielders, the Black Knights led the Patriot League in double plays turned and were second in fielding percentage. At the conclusion of the 2022 season, six West Point position players were named to the Patriot League First Team, including the entire starting infield.
Spataro joined the Black Knights following a four-year stint at Siena College, where he served as a volunteer assistant coach (2018-19) before his promotion to assistant coach (2019-21). His tenure with the Saints was highlighted by helping the team set the program record for defensive fielding percentage (.966, 2018), as well as leading the program to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference-high in stolen bases with 52 in 2021, Siena’s most since 2014.
To go along with his efforts in offensive player development, position player defensive development and base running, Spataro also helped the Saints defeat No. 23 Fairfield in their 2021 campaign, ending the Stags’ 27-game winning streak while achieving the program’s first victory over a ranked opponent since 2006. During his time in Loudonville, N.Y., he also assisted head coach Tony Rossi in achieving his 900th career win and supported him via recruiting, scouting reports, fundraising, scheduling, alumni outreach, and youth camps among his other responsibilities.
Siena players shined throughout Spataro’s time with the Saints. In his first season, he coached three All-MAAC hitters, including shortstop Marcos Campos who was selected in the 29th round of the MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants. His second year was highlighted by freshman outfielder Ryan McGee becoming the first Saint to land MAAC All-Rookie honors. Since then, he has led numerous players to additional all-conference and national laurels.
Prior to joining the staff at Siena, Spataro coached the Amsterdam Mohawks of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League for two summers and led the team to a 76-29 record to go along with a 2016 league title. He helped nine Mohawks achieve PGCBL All-Star nods and mentored a PGCBL Player of the Year honoree.
Spataro got his start in coaching at his alma mater, The College at Brockport. He served as an assistant coach/recruiting coordinator and had oversight of hitters, infielders and outfielders. While serving as the recruiting coordinator, he signed the Brockport Freshman Student-Athlete of the Year and additionally helped six position players land SUNYAC First or Second Team All-Conference selections.
A Niskayuna, N.Y. native, Spataro graduated from Brockport in 2016 with a kinesiology degree.
