Ben Hecht Signs With Cubs, In Arizona to Begin Pro Career

Effingham's Ben Hecht is in Mesa, Arizona, beginning his professional baseball career in the Chicago Cubs organization.

Ben's father, Jerry, said Ben signed with the Cubs shortly after being drafted in the 12th round. He was the 375th player drafted overall.

Jerry Hecht said Ben flew to Arizona, the Cubs' spring training base and instructional home facility, Sunday evening and was undergoing his physical Monday. An advantage is that 22-year-old Ben's brother, Adam, lives in the Phoenix area.

A St. Anthony graduate, Ben Hecht was first drafted out of high school in 2013 by the New York Mets in the 31st round. He did not sign with the Mets and instead went to Illinois State University for a year, then redshirted for a year before playing at Lincolnland Community College for a year, and then transferred to Wichita State University where he played this past season.

Jerry Hecht said Ben, a 6' 2" 170-pound righthander, signed with the Cubs "not too long after the draft. He knew he wanted to give it a shot."