In State Phenom Garrett Schlecht is the Newest Member of the Chicago Cubs

When you grow up a lifelong Cardinals fan, wearing a Cubs uniform usually entails a loss of a bet. Or maybe someone offers you $20 on a dare, and you're broke, so you take it. Aside from that, you just don't do such things when it comes to sports.

Unless of course someone hands you hundreds of thousands of dollars and has you sign your name to a contract to begin your dream as a professional baseball player. Then, well then all bets are off.

Garrett Schlecht, the Cubs 9th round draft pick this season , has agreed to terms with the Chicago Cubs and should be reporting to the Cubs Rookie League affiliate in the Arizona League soon .

Schlecht, a 6'2 left handed hitting outfielder seen here, hit .500 with 7 HR 40 RBI and 13 SB as a senior for Waterloo, earning All Area Player of the Year honors. Along with his raw power, his .623 OBP shows the type of plate discipline and patience not often seen from a high school player- or a Cubs player for that matter.

His mature approach at the plate led Highland coach Joel Hawkins to say this about him:

"He's so confident and so comfortable, you don't know what pitch to throw," Hawkins said. "Ball four is the best pitch you can throw to him. Every time you made a mistake he pounded it for an extra-base hit."

Schlecht was also a force on the mound going 6-2 with a 3.36 ERA and 72 K over 41.1 IP. His strong arm and above average speed should allow him to become a solid defensive player.

While he is still kind of raw at the plate, Schlecht has all the tools needed for success at the next level. The Cubs don't have many 6'2 left handed power hitters who can command the plate like he does-zero actually. At just 18, he has plenty of time to refine those tools.

Cubs fans are a patient bunch anyways.