RHP Ryan Heppner, 19th round (577th) – Atlanta Braves - Signed $100,000

Born: Richmond, BC.

Resides: Point Roberts, Wash.

Height/Weight: 6’ 0” 190 lbs.

Bats/Throws: R-R

School: University of British Columbia.

Coaches: Chris Pritchett, Mitch Hodge.

Previous Teams: Kamloops NorthPaws, Bellingham Bells, Delta Blue Jays

Previous coaches: Bob Ralston, Steve Ward, Josh Robbins, Cole Armstrong, Jack Thompson, Brodie Hawkins.

Border crossings: Since most of the Heppner family lived in the Lower Mainland of BC, they chose to move to Point Roberts Wash. While technically they lived in the U.S., everything Ryan or his older brother, Sean, did was in Canada, including schools and sports. They were used to crossing the border four times a day. They returned to Delta, BC when the COVID restrictions hit. And it was not easy as each country had its own set of restrictions.

Big brother drafted in 2024: His brother, Sean, was selected in the 12th round of the 2024 MLB draft by the Cleveland Guardians. Sean is currently pitching for the Guardians’ class-A Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League.

2025 spring at UBC: Was 7-2 with a 4.38 ERA in 15 appearances (14 starts). He walked 24 and struck out 77 in 74 innings ... Tied for the team lead in wins, appearances and starts … Pitched six or more innings in five of his starts and seven or more innings three times … Registered a season-best 12 strikeouts against Warner Pacific on March 29. He allowed one run and just three hits and did not walk a better to pick up the win … Struck out 11 batters in five innings in his start against Lewis-Clark State on March 1.

2024 summer with Bellingham Bells, West Coast League: Had 2-2 record with a 2.87 ERA and recorded four saves in 14 relief appearances … Collected 16 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings

2024 spring at UBC: Was 4-2 with a 3.96 ERA in 10 appearances (five starts) … He walked 11 and struck out 41 in 38 2/3 innings … Held opponents to a .201 batting average … Three times pitched six innings in a start … Had a season-high 10 strikeouts against Hope International on February 13. In that start, he allowed just two runs on three hits to earn the win … Had seven or more strikeouts in three of his starts.

2023 spring at UBC: Was 7-2 with a 3.13 ERA in 15 appearances (13 starts) … He walked 17 and struck out 80 in 72 innings … Tossed a shutout against Eastern Oregon on March 2. He allowed just two hits and struck out 11 … Threw eight innings and fanned 12 to earn the victory against Lewis-Clark State on May 7.

2022 summer with Kamloops Northpaws, West Coast League: 0-1 with a 0.75 ERA in three starts … He struck out 16 batters and walked only two in 12 innings.

2022 with the Delta Blue Jays (BCPBL): Was 4-1 in eight starts with a 2.43 ERA ... Walked 12 and struck out 65 in 40 1/3 innings.