The Shocking Unraveling of Derek Bender’s Career with the Minnesota Twins

In a surprising twist of events, the Minnesota Twins have parted ways with their minor league catcher, Derek Bender, after allegations of him revealing pitch types to rival batters. This shocking incident is said to have occurred during a pivotal game which resulted in his team’s elimination from the playoffs.

A Controversial Game That Led to Unfortunate Consequences

Derek Bender, who was picked in the sixth round of the draft from Coastal Carolina earlier this year, was playing for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, a Single-A affiliate of the Twins. The controversial incident is said to have taken place during the second match of a doubleheader held on September 6, against the Lakeland Flying Tigers, a Detroit Tigers’ farm team.

During this game, Bender reportedly informed multiple Flying Tigers’ batters about the specific pitches that Ross Dunn, the starting pitcher, was about to throw. This unexpected tip-off gave a significant advantage to the Flying Tigers, who went on to score four runs in the second inning, leading to a 6-0 victory. This win clinched their position in the Florida State League West division, thereby dashing the playoff hopes of the Mighty Mussels who were leading by six games just three weeks prior.

Post-Game Revelations and Repercussions

Following the game, the news of Bender’s pitch-tipping was relayed to the Fort Myers’ coaching team by their Lakeland counterparts. This revelation was met with astonishment, especially since there were no prior indications of any inappropriate conduct from the Flying Tigers.

Bender had allegedly expressed a desire for the season to end to his teammates, which might have served as a catalyst for his controversial actions. Consequently, Bender was reassigned to the team’s bullpen for the final two games of the season, instead of his usual position in the dugout.

Bender’s Silence and the Twins’ Official Response

When reached for comments, both Bender, through his agency, and the Minnesota Twins decided to remain silent on the issue. Bender, who was selected as the 188th pick this year, signed for $297,500, slightly under the expected slot value of $320,800. Despite the controversial circumstances, Bender will retain his entire signing bonus.

During his short stint with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, Bender played 19 games, recording a batting average of .200/.273/.333 with two home runs and eight RBIs. Prior to joining the Mussels, Bender had an impressive record at Coastal Carolina, hitting .326/.408/.571 with 32 home runs and 153 RBIs over 144 games.