| Ben Heller | |
|---|---|
_(Cropped).jpg) Heller with the New York Yankees | |
| Chicago Cubs | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1991-08-05)August 5, 1991 (age 33) Milwaukee,Wisconsin, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 26, 2016, for the New York Yankees | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 2–1 |
| Earned run average | 4.65 |
| Strikeouts | 61 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Benjamin Heller (born August 5, 1991) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher in theChicago Cubs organization. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theNew York Yankees,Atlanta Braves, andPittsburgh Pirates.
Heller attendedWhitewater High School inWhitewater, Wisconsin, where he holds the school record for saves, pitched two no-hitters, and had a 1.14 ERA his senior year.[1] Heller attendedOlivet Nazarene University, where he playedcollege baseball for theOlivet Nazarene Tigers. He playedcollegiate summer baseball with theWisconsin Rapids Rafters. In 2012, he set a Rafters team record with 63strikeouts. As a senior forOlivet Nazarene in 2013, Heller had an 8–4win–loss record and a 3.42earned run average (ERA).[2]
TheCleveland Indians selected Heller in the 22nd round of the2013 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with Cleveland, receiving a $2,500signing bonus.[3] Heller made his professional debut with theMahoning Valley Scrappers in 2013.[2] He split the 2014 season between theLake County Captains andCarolina Mudcats, combining for a 2.38 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 53innings pitched.[4] Heller began the 2015 season with theLynchburg Hillcats and was promoted to theAkron RubberDucks during the season.[5] Heller opened the 2016 season with Akron and was promoted to theColumbus Clippers.
On July 31, 2016, the Indians traded Heller along withClint Frazier,Justus Sheffield andJ. P. Feyereisen to theNew York Yankees in exchange forAndrew Miller.[6] The Yankees promoted Heller to the major league roster on August 11,[7] but he was returned to the minors without making an appearance. The Yankees promoted him again on August 23,[8] and he made his major league debut on August 26, 2016, pitching a scoreless eighth inning against theBaltimore Orioles. Overall with the2016 Yankees, Heller appeared in 10 games in relief, posting a 6.43 ERA with six strikeouts in seven innings. During the 2017 season, Heller split time between the Yankees and the Triple-AScranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. He appeared in nine major league games, striking out nine batters in 11 innings with a 0.82 ERA.
On April 6, 2018, Heller underwentTommy John surgery, and subsequently missed the rest of the season.[9] He returned to the Yankees in 2019, appearing in 6 games, all in relief, while posting a 1.23 ERA and striking out 9 batters in7+1⁄3 innings. Initially not included on the Yankees' postseason roster, Heller was added afterCC Sabathia suffered a shoulder injury in the fourth game of theALCS.[10] On September 2, 2020, Heller was ejected for the first time in his career after hittingHunter Renfroe with a pitch.[11]
Heller wasdesignated for assignment on February 10, 2021, to make room on the 40-man roster forDarren O'Day.[12] On February 12, Heller was released by the Yankees.[13]
On February 20, 2021, Heller signed a minor league contract with theArizona Diamondbacks organization.[14] Heller suffered a stress fracture in his elbow, ending his season before it began, and he was released on April 20.[15]
On July 18, 2022, Heller signed a minor league deal with theMinnesota Twins. He made four rehab appearances for the rookie-levelFlorida Complex League Twins before being promoted to the Triple-ASt. Paul Saints. Heller had a 21.60 ERA with three strikeouts in1+2⁄3 innings pitched across three appearances before being released on September 5.
On January 18, 2023, Heller signed a minor league contract with theTampa Bay Rays organization.[16] He began the year with the Triple-ADurham Bulls, posting a 3.91 ERA in 16 appearances. His contract was selected to the active roster on May 24.[17] On June 2, following the acquisition ofRobert Stephenson, Heller was designated for assignment by the Rays without having made an appearance for the team.[18]
On June 6, 2023, Heller was traded to theAtlanta Braves in exchange for international bonus pool money.[19] He was recalled to the major leagues on June 15.[20] Heller made his debut for the Braves on June 16, throwing five strikeouts with only one hit and one walk in two innings in a win against theColorado Rockies.[21][22] In 19 appearances for Atlanta, he posted a 3.86 ERA with 16 strikeouts in18+2⁄3 innings pitched. Following the season on November 1, Heller was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–AGwinnett Stripers.[23] However, Heller rejected the assignment and elected free agency.[24]
On December 5, 2023, Heller signed a minor league contract with thePittsburgh Pirates.[25] He made 15 appearances for the Triple–AIndianapolis Indians, compiling a 4.91 ERA with 34 strikeouts across18+1⁄3 innings pitched. On June 4, 2024, the Pirates selected Heller's contract, adding him to their active roster.[26] He struggled immensely in two games for the Pirates, allowing 12 runs (11 earned) on nine hits with three strikeouts across two innings of work.[27] During his second appearance on June 9, pitching the 10th inning against theMinnesota Twins, he hit three batters to match the 1974 performance of former Pirates pitcherDock Ellis, who was hitting the batters intentionally.[28][29] Heller was designated for assignment following the acquisition ofNiko Goodrum on June 10.[30] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Indianapolis on June 13.[31] On August 6, the Pirates selected Heller's contract, adding him back for their active roster.[32] In 8 games for Pittsburgh, he struggled to an 11.25 ERA with 15 strikeouts over 12 innings. Heller was placed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation on August 30,[33] and was transferred to the 60–day injured list on September 18, ending his season.[34] On November 4, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Indianapolis.[35] Heller elected free agency the same day.[36]
On December 30, 2024, Heller signed a minor league contract with theChicago Cubs.[37] On March 25, 2025, Heller underwentTommy John Surgery ruling him out for the 2025 season.
Heller is the oldest of four children born to Bonnie and Brian Heller. His parents divorced after he graduated from high school. One of his younger brothers, Gabe, died by suicide at the age of 18 in 2015.[4][38]
Heller and his wife, Martha, met while attendingOlivet Nazarene University; she is an eighth grade math teacher.[39] In 2017, Ben and his wife stayed together inScranton, Pennsylvania, when Ben was pitching in the minor leagues and lived above a funeral parlor withChad Green.[40]
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