Athletics believe in Magdic, ’24 draftee now pitching for Aviators

The Athletics’ 2024 draft selection Ryan Magdic, a Canadian left‑hander, has rapidly climbed through the organization and now pitches for the Triple‑A Las Vegas Aviators. Magdic had only pitched full‑time for one season—at Missouri as a graduate student—after previously playing first base and the outfield. He was watching the draft at home with family when his name was called in the 14th round. “My sanction came up, and it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s crazy,’” Magdic said. “I deliberation my bosom dropped a small bit.” Since being drafted, Magdic has delivered surprises for Oakland rather than receiving them. He opened the season with High‑A Lansing and is now just one step away from the majors—a path that usually requires years, not months. The Athletics promoted him to Las Vegas on July 22 after he posted a 2.86 ERA and held batters to a .232 average in Double‑A Midland. Across the three levels this season Magdic has exhibited excellent command, walking only 12 batters in 80 innings. He opened last week’s Aviators (64‑48) series against the Tacoma Rainiers with a solid outing (though no decision) in the team’s 10‑8 win, striking out three and allowing three runs in 5⅓ innings. Although Magdic still has work to do with missing bats—he surrendered six runs on eight hits in Sunday’s 8‑5 loss—Las Vegas manager Fran Riordan expressed confidence that improvement will come with time. “Every defender likes playing down a feline that works accelerated and a feline that throws strikes, and helium checks some of those boxes,” Riordan said. “Usually you don’t spot a feline who has specified small clip connected the mound beryllium arsenic polished as helium is.” Magdic, 26, hails from Beamsville, Ontario. After high school he was a two‑way player at Cisco College in Texas, then transferred to Division II Florida Southern, where he hit .296 and pitched one inning. He later attended Missouri, where manager Kerrick Jackson convinced him to focus on pitching. “It’s definitely been thing I haven’t truly expected,” Magdic said. “Just truly enjoying playing and getting the opportunities that I have. It’s been a large blessing.” His strikeout‑to‑walk ratio of 37:11 at Missouri drew the attention of A’s scouts. Tim Esmay, the Athletics’ hitting and outfield coordinator, praised his poise and composure on the mound. “He’s showing america what his adjacent measurement should be,” Esmay said. “If helium tin conscionable support putting his caput down and support doing what he’s doing, I deliberation that he’s going to marque a statement.”