A Glimpse into the Future: Matt Magill

The Dodgers recently added 23-year old right-hander Matt Magill to the 40-man roster last month in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. Magill will likely be on most top ten Dodgers prospect lists this offseason since the young pitcher has progressed through the minor league system steadily and may make his MLB debut sooner than later.

Magill, who was born in Simi Valley, California (the city adjacent to my own hometown), was

Matt Magill hails from my hometown area of Ventura County. Photo: Tim Evearitt

drafted by the Dodgers in the 31st round of the 2008 MLB draft out of Royal High School. The 6’3″ 190 pound pitcher began his professional career in the Gulf Coast League at the Rookie level. He pitched in 11 games, and he finished with a 1-2 record, 3.34 ERA, while striking out 25 and walking 9 in 29 2/3 innings. In 2009 he was promoted to the Ogden Raptors where he started 15 games and pitched 72 innings while recording a 6-3 record.  He had a 4.00 ERA while striking out 55 and walking 30. In 2010, Matthew once again was promoted. He would play the season with the Single-A Great Lakes Loons, and he finished the season with a record of 7-4 with a 3.28 ERA over 24 games and 126 1/3 innings. He impressed by collecting 135 strikeouts and walking 52 batters good for a 2.60 SO/BB. The next season he joined the Advanced-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. He went 11-5 in 26 games, and he had a 4.33 ERA in 139 1/3 innings pitched. He struck out slightly less batters (126), but he walked the same amount as the previous season (52).

For 2012, Magill would once again be promoted. He has been promoted each and every season thus far while playing in the Dodgers’ farm system. For the AA-Chattanooga Lookouts last season, he went 11-8 in 26 games started with a 3.75 ERA. He pitched a minor league career high of 146 1/3 innings, and he struck out a personal best 168 batters while walking 61. He was selected to the Southern League midseason All-Star team.

Since he is part of the 40-man roster, Magill will get an automatic invitation to Major League Spring Training Camp. Pitchers and catcher report on February 12, 2013. This will be Magill’s first chance at pitching in big league camp.

Magill may make his MLB debut soon with the Dodgers. Photo: MiLB.com

Magill may have been a bit of a sleeper as far as prospects are concerned, but he has been getting more notice after his solid season in Chattanooga. Matt Magill and Chuck Crim, Chattanooga’s pitching coach last season and the Dodgers’ 2013 bullpen coach, have bonded and formed a close relationship. Crim graduated from Thousand Oaks High, and he was the scout who drafted Magill out of Royal High. He coached Magill in Rookie ball and Single-A as well.

"“Coming here with him [Crim] again has been great. We have grown to have a bond the last couple of years,” Magill said. “He knows me really well and I understand what he is saying right away. He has definitely helped me tremendously to get to where I am today.”"

Magill has this to say about his future as a possible big leaguer:

"“Everyone knows they are only just a phone call away from playing at Dodger Stadium,” he said. “That is where everyone eventually wants to be.”"

Perhaps Crim and Magill will be reunited on the big team soon.