Twins release prospect Derek Bender for alleged harmful in-game actions

Derek Bender’s profession with the Minnesota Twins seems to be over solely a bit of greater than a month after it began.

In keeping with ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Twins are releasing Bender for allegedly tipping pitches to opposing batters in a sport with the Class A Fort Myers Mighty Mussels final week. Per Passan, the nefarious actions occurred within the second sport of a Sept. 6 doubleheader between the MIghty Mussels and the Lakeland Flying Tigers when Bender, a catcher, “informed a number of hitters” “the precise pitches being thrown.”

“Bender had informed teammates he needed the season to be over, based on sources,” Passan added.

Bender was Minnesota’s sixth-round choose within the July MLB draft and he hit .200/.273/.333 in 19 video games at Fort Myers. The Twins chosen him after a standout school profession at Coastal Carolina wherein he slashed .326/.408/.571 with 32 homers and 153 RBIs in 144 video games.

Payton Eeles, a second base prospect who performs for the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate, the St. Paul Saints, performed with Bender at Coastal Carolina and got here to his protection in a submit on X Thursday night time.

“Derek Bender is certainly one of my favourite teammates I’ve performed with. He beloved to win interval. We wouldn’t have received as a lot as we did with out him,” Eeles wrote. “He made a mistake in life that many 21 yr olds do and I perceive the choice. However nothing can change what I noticed firsthand. Love ya Flexible.”

An official roster transfer has not been introduced by the Twins.