From Chilton, Wisconsin, to professional baseball. That is the road that has been paved for Alex Beckheimer.
The former Chilton Tiger star player has added another tremendous achievement to his baseball resume~….A Major League Baseball draftee.
Coming off a remarkable season for the Kansas University Jayhawks, Breckheimer learned on Monday that he has been drafted by St. Louis Cardinals in the traditional First Year Player Draft. He joins two teammates from Kansas that were also drafted including his battery mate in catcher Brady Counsell, son of current Chicago Cubs and former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell.
Breckheimer was selected in the 16th round and briefly spoke with the Tri-County News on a lay over at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport on his way to the Cardinals training facility in Jupiter, Florida.
“I knew I was going to get drafted,” he told the TCN.
“I watched part of the opening day draft on ESPN on Sunday, but knew my name was not going to be called. My family had a draft party on Monday at Neighborhood Pub and I was getting text messages all day and then the phone call came and I knew who it was. It was a pretty awesome experience.”
Breckheimer said he already has an agent who is working on contract negotiations with the Cardinals.
“You don’t really care who drafts you. The Cardinals had interest in me all spring. The Brewers would have been great, but I knew it wouldn’t be them.”
What’s next for the 2022 Eastern Wisconsin Conference Player of the Year?
“When I get to Florida, I go through a physical, probably some practices and then they assign me to one of their minor league teams. It’s almost August, so obviously it will be short-season ball, probably in the Rookie League.”
What comes after 2025?
“Next February, I will be in their Spring Training Camp with all Cardinal players and we’ll see where I end up from there!”
Brady Counsell was chosen in the 10th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks and pitcher Derek Cerda went in the 17th round to the Chicago White Sox.