Ryan Budnick begins his professional career with teh ThunderBolts in 2017. He signed on August 25, 2017. Budnick played two years collegiately at Santa Clara University, finishing his college career in 2016. He batted .263 as a senior for the Broncos with a .342 on-base percentage and 15 RBIs in 42 games. He was a .376 hitter as a sophomore at Edmonds Community College and was named an ABCA second team All-American. Ryan, whose great-grandfather, Mike, played two years in the Major Leagues for the New York Giants, attended Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington.