Derek Bender confirmed off an elite bat for a university catcher throughout his three-year profession at Coastal Carolina, placing up averages of .326/.408/.571 with 32 homers and 153 RBIs in 144 video games. The Minnesota Twins noticed sufficient to pick Bender within the sixth spherical of the 2024 MLB Draft, utilizing the No. 188 general choose to convey him into the group.
The Twins launched Bender on Thursday after probably the most weird baseball scandals of the season. It includes tipping pitches, elimination from playoff rivalry, and a need to start the offseason early from a participant whose skilled profession would possibly already be over.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel broke the story of the Twins releasing Bender after he was reportedly serving to opposing hitters by telling them what pitch was coming through the second recreation of a Single-A double-header between his Fort Myers Mighty Mussels and the Lakeland Flying Tigers.
Bender advised a number of hitters for the Lakeland Flying Tigers, a Detroit farm group, the particular pitches being thrown by starter Ross Dunn, sources mentioned.
Lakeland gained the sport and eradicated the Mighty Mussels from playoff rivalry with the loss. Why would a catcher be serving to the opposing group by tipping pitches? In line with ESPN, Bender “had advised teammates he needed the season to be over.”
Bender looks as if an enchanting man after going again and studying some pre-draft protection. His faculty profession was largely notable for defiant response after hitting this dwelling run earlier this yr:
Bender was struggling on the plate in his first 19 video games as a professional in Single-A ball. This may be the final we hear of him.