MLB Rumors: Twins Cut Prospect Derek Bender After Catcher Told Opponents Pitches

Julia StumbaughSeptember 13, 2024

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The Minnesota Twins released former Coastal Carolina catcher and sixth-round draft pick Derek Bender after he reportedly told opposing batters which pitches would be thrown in Low-A competition, Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan reported for ESPN.

The incident reportedly occurred during pitcher Ross Dunn’s start in the latter half of a Sept. 6 double-header between the Twins’ affiliate Fort Myers Mighty Mussels and Detroit Tigers’ affiliate Lakeland Flying Tigers, per McDaniel and Passan.

Bender “told multiple hitters” for the Flying Tigers which “specific pitch” Dunn was throwing, sources told McDaniel and Passan. Coaches for the Flying Tigers informed the Mighty Mussels coaching staff about the tips after the game, the ESPN reporters wrote.

Dunn was pulled after allowing five hits, including a home run, along with four earned runs and a walk in 1.2 innings.

The Flying Tigers won the outing 6-0, qualifying for the Florida State League Playoffs while eliminating the Mighty Mussels from the playoff picture.

According to McDaniel and Passan, sources said that Bender “had told teammates he wanted the season to be over,” and that he had spent the previous two games “in the team’s bullpen instead of his typical place in the dugout.”

The Twins selected Bender with the No. 188 pick of the 2024 draft after three years as a catcher and first baseman for Coastal Carolina. He hit .320/.422/.520 with 11 home runs in 60 games during his final college season.

Bender signed with the Twins in July for $297,500, slightly below the slot value for his pick of $320,800, per Carlos Collazo of Baseball America. McDaniel and Passan reported that he will retain his entire bonus despite being cut.

Bender split his first Low-A season between catcher and first base, playing eight games as catcher and 11 in the infield. He slashed .200/.273/.333 with two doubles, two home runs and a stolen base in 19 games for the Mighty Mussels.