After starring for the South Medford High School baseball team, Bechler was selected by the Orioles in the third round of the 1998 MLB draft.

Following this revelation, the Food and Drug Administration opened an inquiry, which resulted in the banning of ephedra products in the United States.

He did not appear in the All-Star Game, as he was promoted to the Rochester Red Wings of the Class AAA International League.

[10] After struggling in two outings for Rochester, he was demoted to the Bowie Baysox of the Class AA Eastern League, where he remained for the rest of the season.

[4][13] He appeared in three games for the Orioles, pitching 4+2⁄3 innings, in which he allowed six hits, four walks, three home runs, and recorded three strikeouts.

[15] On October 22, 2002, Bechler married Kiley Mae Nixon at Community Bible Church in Central Point, Oregon.

[3][16] On February 16, 2003, during the Orioles' spring training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Bechler collapsed while participating in conditioning drills.

[1] An autopsy performed by Broward County Medical Examiner Joshua Perper concluded that Bechler's death was caused by a pre-existing liver condition, mild hypertension, his weight (he weighed 249 pounds (113 kg) upon arriving at spring training, and was exercising hard), the heat and humidity of the Florida weather, low food consumption, and the toxicity of ephedra.

[24] Bechler was cremated, and on the six month anniversary of his death his wife, Kiley Mae Nixon, scattered his ashes on the pitcher's mound of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

[25][26] The lawsuit against Nutraquest was suspended in October 2003 when the company filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the United States Code.