Derek Bender was an elite hitting talent for a collegiate catcher during his three-year career at Coastal Carolina University, batting .326/.408/.571 with 32 home runs and 153 RBIs in 144 games. Minnesota Twins They felt Bender was good enough to join the team in the sixth round of the 2024 MLB Draft, 188th overall.
The Twins fired Bender on Thursday after one of baseball's strangest scandals this season, which included allegations of pitching fraud, a thwarted playoff appearance and a desire to start the offseason early for a player whose professional career may already be over.
ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniels reported the news. The Twins fired Bender after he reportedly helped opposing batters tell them which pitches were coming during the second game of a Single-A doubleheader between the Fort Myers Mighty Muscles and the Lakeland Flying Tigers.
According to sources, Bender told hitters for Detroit's farm team, the Lakeland Flying Tigers, about specific pitches that starting pitcher Ross Dunn would be throwing.
Lakeland won the game, and the loss meant the Mighty Muscles missed the playoffs. Why would a catcher dodge a pitch to help the other team? According to ESPN, Bender “told his teammates he wanted the season to end.”
Looking back at the pre-draft coverage, Bender seems like a fascinating character whose college career was especially notable for his defiant reaction after hitting that home run earlier this year.
A good feature on 2023 Bender discusses his unique personality and approach to the game..
Bender struggled at the plate in his first 19 professional games at Single-A, and this may be the last we hear from him.
