What a year it was for the University of British Columbia baseball program. Long regarded as the best baseball schools in Canada, the Thunderbirds added to their list of professional alumni this past weekend, as pitcher Ryan Heppner heard his name called by the Atlanta Braves in the 19th round. After the draft, outfielder Jonny McGill also inked an NDFA deal with the Los Angeles Angels.

UBC came into the 2025 season with high expectations, with a glut of returning veterans mixed in with some promising newcomers. They certainly lived up to the hype, winning their conference regular season crown with a 29-8 record and hosting the playoff tournament for the first time since 2017.

Although they finished as the runners-up to rival Lewis-Clark State, they still qualified for the NAIA Championship opening round, where they went 3-0 and punched their ticket to the NAIA World Series for the first time since 2006. A loss to Loyola ended their season, but the team had plenty to be proud of in 2025.

Ryan Heppner was a big part of the team’s success, producing a 4.38 ERA across 14 starts in the offensive-friendly Cascade Collegiate Conference.

The 20-year-old follows in the footsteps of his brother Sean, who was drafted in the 12th round by the Cleveland Guardians just last year. The 6-foot right-hander didn’t miss as many bats as his brother did at UBC, but finished with a better career ERA (3.80 vs 4.19). Heppner was born in Richmond, BC, but raised in the geographical anomaly that is Point Roberts, Washington and crossed the border frequently. He spent the 2024 summer season with the Bellingham Bells of the West Coast League, spinning a 2.87 ERA across 14 relief appearances.

Although he was a starter in college, he likely slots more as a reliever in the pro ranks, much like his brother has done in the Guardians’ organization. Ryan will become the second former UBC pitcher in the Braves system, joining Adam Maier (7th round, 2022), who’s currently in high-A. Heppner has already signed on the dotted line, inking a $100,000 bonus.

Jonny McGill is coming off one of the best offensive seasons in school history. He hit .405 in 57 games, clubbing 18 home runs while driving in 56. He led the conference in hits (89), runs (80), and OPS (1.260).

The corner outfielder also showed a penchant for stealing bags at UBC, swiping 17 to appear in the top ten in the conference. A successful showing across 19 MLB Draft League games (.751 OPS, 8 steals) helped set him up for the opportunity to sign with the Angels.

Despite the gaudy numbers, the relatively older age of the 23-year-old likely prevented him from being selected in the draft. He will have a chance to play in Vancouver once he makes it up to the Angels’ high-A affiliate, the Tri-City Dust Devils, who play in the Northwest League with the Vancouver Canadians. McGill has played at Nat Bailey Stadium in the past as part of Canadians/UBC exhibition games in 2023 and 2024.