Ben Brecht is a former Division I baseball player at UC Santa Barbara Gauchos baseball, where he earned a scholarship before being selected in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. He spent five seasons in professional baseball, navigating the highs and challenges of the game, including a shoulder injury that ultimately reshaped his playing career.

While many athletes focus solely on performance, Ben used his time in pro baseball to quietly prepare for what came next—taking continuing education courses during the offseason, studying for the GMAT while rehabbing, and seeking out conversations with professionals to better understand how to translate his skills beyond sport. After his release, he pursued business school at University of Michigan Ross School of Business and transitioned into wealth management, where he now works at Private Vista.

Driven by seeing former teammates struggle financially after their careers, Ben is passionate about helping athletes avoid preventable mistakes. He focuses on financial education—budgeting, understanding debt, and building long-term plans—so athletes can create stability and opportunity beyond the game.

At the Next Game Summit, Ben brings a candid perspective on the importance of preparing for life after sport, showing how discipline, curiosity, and proactive learning can set athletes up for lasting success.