When the Athletics drafted Ryan Magdic in 2024, it came as a bit of a surprise to the big Canadian southpaw now with the Las Vegas Aviators.
Magdic only had pitched full-time for one year — at Missouri as a graduate student — mainly playing first base and right field before then. He was watching the draft at home with family when he heard his name called in the 14th round.
“My name came up, and it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s crazy,’” Magdic said. “I think my heart dropped a little bit.”
Since then, Magdic has been delivering surprises for the A’s, not receiving them. He started this season with High-A Lansing and is now one step away from the big leagues — a path that usually takes years, not months. The Athletics promoted Magdic to Las Vegas on July 22 after posting a 2.86 ERA and holding batters to a .232 average in Double-A Midland.
Magdic has shown exceptional control across all three levels (High-A, Double-A, Triple-A) this season, walking 12 batters in 80 innings.
He opened last week’s Aviators (64-48) series against the Tacoma Rainiers with a solid performance (though a no decision) in the team’s 10-8 win, striking out three and giving up three runs in 5⅓ innings.
Though Magdic still has some work to do with missing bats — he gave up six runs on eight hits in Sunday’s 8-5 loss — Las Vegas manager Fran Riordan is confident that will come with time.
“Every defender likes playing behind a guy that works fast and a guy that throws strikes, and he checks both of those boxes,” Riordan said. “Usually you don’t see a guy who has such little time on the mound be as polished as he is.”
Magdic, 26, has had quite the journey. After high school, the Beamsville, Ontario, native was a two-way player at Cisco College, a junior college in a Texas town whose population couldn’t fill half of Las Vegas Ballpark.
Magdic transferred to Division II Florida Southern, hitting .296 and pitching one inning. He then attended Missouri, where coach Kerrick Jackson convinced Magdic to put down the bat and head to the bullpen.
Little did he know how important that decision was, propelling him to the highest level of the minors.
“It’s definitely been something I haven’t really expected,” Magdic said. “Just really enjoying playing and getting the opportunities that I have. It’s been a big blessing.”
Magdic’s control at Missouri (he had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 37:11) caught the eye of A’s scouts. Tim Esmay, the Athletics’ quality control and field coordinator, said the organization was impressed with his poise and composure on the mound.
Magdic is part of a successful 2024 draft class for the A’s. Already Nick Kurtz, Tommy White, Gage Jump and Joshua Kuroda-Grauer have had layovers in Las Vegas en route to The Show. Magdic could be next.
Much like the decision to commit to pitching, though, the Athletics are putting Magdic in control of his fate.
“He’s showing us what his next step should be,” Esmay said. “If he can just keep putting his head down and keep doing what he’s doing, I think that he’s going to make a statement.”
Buelvas’ power surge continues
This summer, outfielder Brayan Buelvas has emerged as a power threat in the Aviators’ lineup. After hitting eight home runs in July, he hasn’t slowed down in August, bashing two more homers last week against the Rainiers.
Buelvas is second on the team in home runs (12) behind veteran first baseman Joey Meneses (13).
“He’s making the most of his opportunity,” Riordan said. “He’s turned himself into a really good player that should have an impact at the major league level.”
Though Las Vegas dropped four of six games against Tacoma, Buelvas stayed hot. He went 11-for-26 with two home runs, six RBIs and a stolen base.
Welcome to Conn Air
It didn’t take long for catcher Cole Conn to show that he’s ready for Triple-A.
In Conn’s Aviators debut Tuesday, the switch-hitting catcher launched a 390-foot home run in the eighth inning that left his bat at 103.3 mph, giving Las Vegas its final lead in a 10-8 win. He also played right field and stole a base in Friday’s 4-2 victory over Tacoma.
“He’s been a breath of fresh air since he’s been here, and he’s got a lot of really positive energy,” Riordan said.
The A’s promoted Conn to the Aviators from Midland on Tuesday after hitting .281 with seven homers and 23 steals for the RockHounds. He was the Athletics’ 12th round draft pick in 2023 out of the University of Illinois-Chicago.
Up next
Who: Las Vegas Aviators vs. Sacramento River Cats (San Francisco Giants affiliate)
When: Tuesday-Sunday
Where: Las Vegas Ballpark
Promotions: Tuesday — Copa de la Diversión; Wednesday — Bark on the Berm; Thursday — $2 beer night; Friday — Raiders-themed Aviators jersey giveaway; Saturday — Nick Kurtz bobblecard giveaway
