Former Matador Standout Shaun Larkin Named Dodgers Minor League Manager

NORTHRIDGE, CA---

Former CSUN Baseball infielder and assistant coach Shaun Larkin is the new manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers' Rookie-advanced minor league affiliate, the Ogden Raptors, and the organization's Coordinator of Skills Development. Larkin spent the last three seasons on the coaching staff in the Cleveland Indians organization including a season as manager of the Single-A Lake County Captains in 2015. A Matador standout, Larkin helped lead CSUN to a Big West Conference Championship in 2002 while also enjoying a stint as an assistant coach during the team's 2012 season.

"It's an honor to be a Dodger and to be a part of this organization," said Larkin about his new positions with the Dodgers. "It's exciting to know where we are heading and to be a part of Dodger history. I have the opportunity to manage players who will one day be a part of a Major League team or maybe win a World Series. "

Originally from Cypress, CA, Larkin experienced a memorable 2002 season with CSUN Baseball. Serving as a starting second baseman that year, the Matadors finished with a 41-17 record, culminating in a Big West Conference title. He started in 56 of 57 games and finished the campaign with a .361 average at the plate to go along with 15 home runs, 49 RBI and 16 doubles. An All-Big West Conference First Team selection that season, Larkin was a pivotal member of the Matadors' run to the NCAA Regionals.

Larkin also still holds an NCAA Division I record for consecutive times reaching base. Over a four-game span, he reached safely in 18 plate appearances. He also owns the school record for most walks in a game (5) and he is fourth in CSUN history for most walks in a season (59).

Following his collegiate career, the Cleveland Indians selected Larkin in the ninth round of the 2002 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. With a professional career spanning six years in the organization including a stint in Triple-A, Larkin transitioned into his role as a coach after his playing days.

"As a player, I kept gravitating to [coaching]," added Larkin. "I enjoy giving back to baseball just like my coaches gave back to me at the high school level, collegiately and professionally."

With the Indians' Double-A affiliate, Larkin assisted the coaching staff with player development and he served as a first base coach. In 2007, he also spent time in Leon, Nicaragua as a hitting and third base coach for los Leones de Leon, a professional winter ball team, before returning back to Southern California in 2009.

Larkin would make coaching stops at Newport Harbor High School, Orange Coast College, CSUN and Fresno State before returning to the Cleveland Indians organization.

Larkin returned to his alma mater to serve as an assistant in 2012 and during his time on the staff, he worked with the infielders and hitters and he helped facilitate the strength and conditioning program.

In 2015, Larkin received his first opportunity as a manager with the Indians' Lake County Captains and he relishes the chance to work in the Dodger organization in 2016.

"[Coaching] is a lot of fun because for a majority of the group it's the first experience they'll have playing professionally," said Larkin about his role as the Raptors' manager. "It's a career for them now and it will be their first time failing on the field. It's exciting to work with them to get through that and help them get acclimated to professional baseball. Along with our staff, we look forward to teaching them what the Dodgers are all about. "

Former Matador Standout Shaun Larkin Named Dodgers Minor League Manager

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