Three former Apaches selected in 2024 MLB Draft

DOUGLAS, Ariz. --- The 2024 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft was held this week in Arlington, Texas where three former Cochise Baseball standouts were selected on the third and final day. Connor Caskanette, Ryan Magdic, and Evan Shaw were selected in the 12th, 14th, and 16th rounds respectively, and will begin their professional careers after previously competing at the NCAA D-I level last season. 

Connor Caskanette - Catcher - 12th Round - Miami Marlins

Caskanette, of Duncan, British Columbia, Canada played two seasons with Cochise College and participated in all 61 games in 2022 for the Apaches. The catcher hit six home runs with 58 RBIs during his sophomore year with a batting average of .364. One of the most memorable at-bats of his Cochise College career came off of a walk-off grand slam in the Region 1 semifinal against Arizona Western College in May of 2022. After his sophomore year, Caskanette transferred to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana where he started most of his games behind the plate for the Boilermakers and was awarded Third Team All-Conference (Big 10) this past season. Caskanette was selected in the 12th round of the MLB Draft on Tuesday by the Miami Marlins organization.

Ryan Magdic - Lefthanded Pitcher - 14th Round - Oakland Athletics

Magdic, of Beamsville, Canada was brought into Cochise College as an infielder, and according to Head Baseball Coach Todd Inglehart, was only a hitter until he was turned into a "two-way" player his sophomore year. Ironically, Magdic became an NCAA D-I pitcher after Cochise eventually transferring to the University of Missouri in 2020. While Magdic's offensive career at Cochise was above average which included five home runs, 41 RBIs, and a batting average of .330, it was his left arm that catapulted him into being selected in the 14th round MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics. With the Missouri Tigers in 2024, Magdic collected 37 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched, surrendering 18 runs off of 30 hits for an ERA of 3.63. 

Evan Shaw - Lefthanded Pitcher - 16th Round - Los Angeles Dodgers

The southpaw from Friedley, Minnesota, Evan Shaw, was selected in the 16th round of the MLB Draft on Tuesday, by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Shaw pitched two seasons for the Apaches from 2021-2023 and transferred to Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas after his sophomore season. During his career at Cochise, Shaw collected 184 strikeouts in 129 innings over two seasons. Shaw's record as a pitcher for the Apaches was 12-7 with a 2.93 ERA. During his junior season at Kansas, Shaw went 3-1 in 18 appearances for the Jayhawks, striking out 60 batters with a 5.10 ERA. 

On the third day of the MLB Draft, Cochise Baseball Head Coach Todd Inglehart was quick to mention how proud he is of his former players. "These three typify what Cochise College Baseball can help you accomplish along with being a self-motivated person," Inglehart stated. "Going on to play at power five college baseball programs and now realizing their lifelong dream of playing professional baseball."

Coach Inglehart also mentioned that each of the three graduated with degrees from Cochise College and finished with a GPA of 3.6 or higher. "Each came here looking to get better, and one day have the opportunity to achieve their ultimate goal.  They have done it, and no one is more proud and happy for them than all of the former and current Apaches out there."