UH ace Magdaleno enters portal as backup to MLB draft dream

In a move designed with the draft in mind, University of Hawaii pitching ace Isaiah Magdaleno has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

By completing his third year at a four-year university, Magdaleno is eligible for next month’s 20-round Major League Baseball draft. Entering the portal — to go to another school or return to UH for a senior season — is the fallback plan if he is not drafted or offered a free-agent contract.

“The main goal is to get into pro ball right now,” Magdaleno said in a telephone interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “That’s No. 1. After that, it’s going from there.”

After being named to the 2025 All-Big West first team as a closer, the right-hander from Los Angeles moved to the front of the Rainbow Warriors’ starting rotation this season. In 2026, Magdaleno was fifth nationally with a 0.92 WHIP, sixth in hits allowed per nine innings (5.38) and 13th in ERA (2.36). During a span of 321⁄3 innings in May, he allowed one run, walked three and struck out 43. He was named to the third team of two All-America lists.

Magdaleno, who has been training in Venice Beach, Calif., worked out for the San Diego Padres. His agent, Tim Trafficanda of TWC Sports Management, has been contacted by several MLB teams.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen until draft day,” Magdaleno said. “It’s hearsay until then. We hope it works out the way we plan, and getting to the pros as soon as I can and keep developing.”

Magdaleno is expected to attract interest from Power Four schools. Two years ago, left-hander Harrison Bodendorf transferred to Oklahoma State and right-hander Alex Giroux went to Miami. Last year, right-hander Cooper Walls transferred to Florida. This past week, Walls signed with Georgia.

Magdaleno, who does not have a name-image-likeness deal, has not ruled out a return to UH if he is not drafted.

“You never know,” he said, adding his time at UH has “been the best three years of my life. I feel I wouldn’t be in the place I am without Hawaii. I don’t mean just baseball but everything about it. It’s the people. It’s the support. I’m very grateful for my college career to have been at Hawaii to this point.”

Last week, Keith Zuniga resigned as UH’s associate head coach and pitching coach to lead USC’s pitching staff. Zunga was finalizing his separation agreement with UH on Tuesday afternoon.

Connor Harrison, a former UH pitcher, was promoted from director of pitching development to associate pitching coach. UH head coach Rich Hill opened a nationwide search for Zuniga’s replacement,. Harrison, who is a candidate, will remain with the UH coaching staff no matter the outcome of the search.