In a surprising turn of events, Derek Bender’s time with the Minnesota Twins organization has come to an unexpected halt.
The minor-league catcher was released after it was discovered that he had been tipping off opponents during a recent game.
A Brief Stint with High Hopes
Bender, who was drafted in the sixth round in July out of Coastal Carolina, had been making his way through the Low-A ranks with dreams of reaching the major leagues.
Unfortunately, those dreams have been dashed for now.
He was let go by the Twins on Thursday following an incident while playing for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.
The Incident Unfolds
According to ESPN, Bender’s actions came to light after he was found to have given the Lakeland Flying Tigers hitters clues about the type of pitches they would face from starter Ross Dunn during their game on September 6.
This slip-up led to Lakeland scoring four runs in the second inning and ultimately winning the game 6-0, which knocked Fort Myers out of playoff contention in the Florida State League West Division.
The Fallout and Reaction
ESPN reports that Bender had reportedly expressed to his teammates that he wanted the season to end, which might have influenced his actions.
Lakeland’s coaches brought the pitch-tipping to Fort Myers’ attention after the game, and there’s no indication that the Flying Tigers were aware of or complicit in the situation; they were apparently surprised by the revelation.
Financial and Career Impact
Drafted 188th overall this year and signed for $297,500, Bender will retain his signing bonus despite his release.
Over the course of 19 games with Fort Myers, he played well but ended his season in the bullpen rather than his usual spot in the dugout.
What’s Next for Bender?
With his release from the Twins, Bender’s future in professional baseball is uncertain.
His actions have certainly cast a shadow over his career, but it remains to be seen what opportunities might arise for him moving forward.
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