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The Minnesota Twins launched former Coastal Carolina catcher and sixth-round draft decide Derek Bender after he reportedly advised opposing batters which pitches can be thrown in Low-A contest, Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan reported for ESPN.
The incident reportedly occurred throughout pitcher Ross Dunn’s begin within 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 “advised a number of hitters” for the Flying Tigers which “particular pitch” Dunn was throwing, sources advised McDaniel and Passan. Coaches for the Flying Tigers knowledgeable the Mighty Mussels teaching employees in regards to the ideas after the sport, the ESPN reporters wrote.
Dunn was pulled after permitting 5 hits, together with a house run, together with 4 earned runs and a stroll in 1.2 innings.
The Flying Tigers received the outing 6-0, qualifying for the Florida State League Playoffs whereas eliminating the Mighty Mussels from the playoff image.
In accordance with McDaniel and Passan, sources stated that Bender “had advised teammates he wished the season to be over,” and that he had spent the earlier two video games “within the group’s bullpen as an alternative of his typical place within the dugout.”
The Twins chosen Bender with the No. 188 decide of the 2024 draft after three years as a catcher and first baseman for Coastal Carolina. He hit .320/.422/.520 with 11 residence runs in 60 video games throughout his ultimate school season.
Bender signed with the Twins in July for $297,500, barely beneath the slot worth for his decide of $320,800, per Carlos Collazo of Baseball America. McDaniel and Passan reported that he’ll retain his whole bonus regardless of being lower.
Bender cut up his first Low-A season between catcher and first base, enjoying eight video games as catcher and 11 within the infield. He slashed .200/.273/.333 with two doubles, two residence runs and a stolen base in 19 video games for the Mighty Mussels.
