Kiley McDaniel
Jeff Passan
Jeff Passan
ESPN
ESPN MLB insiderAuthor of “The Arm: Contained in the Billion-Greenback Thriller of the Most Priceless Commodity in Sports activities”
The Minnesota Twins launched minor league catcher Derek Bender on Thursday after he instructed opposing hitters the kinds of pitches that have been coming to the plate throughout at-bats within the recreation final week that eradicated his group from playoff rivalry, sources instructed ESPN.
Bender, a sixth-round draft pick of Coastal Carolina in July, was taking part in for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, the Twins’ Single-A affiliate. Within the second recreation of a Sept. 6 doubleheader, Bender instructed a number of hitters for the Lakeland Flying Tigers, a Detroit farm group, the precise pitches being thrown by starter Ross Dunn, sources mentioned.
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Lakeland scored 4 runs within the second inning and received the sport 6-0 to clinch the Florida State League West division and eradicate the Mighty Mussels from playoff rivalry after Fort Myers had held a six-game lead three weeks earlier.
Fort Myers coaches have been notified by Lakeland coaches about Bender’s pitch tipping after the sport, sources mentioned. Bender’s willingness to tip pitches stunned Lakeland gamers, and there have been no indications of wrongdoing from the Flying Tigers, sources mentioned. Bender had instructed teammates he needed the season to be over, based on sources.
Bender spent the ultimate two video games of the season, which the Mussels received, within the group’s bullpen as a substitute of his typical place within the dugout, sources mentioned.
Via his company, Bender declined to remark. The Twins declined to remark.
A catcher and first baseman chosen with the 188th choose this yr, Bender signed for $297,500, barely beneath the $320,800 slot for that choice. He’ll preserve the whole thing of his bonus, sources mentioned.
Bender performed 19 video games for Fort Myers, hitting .200/.273/.333 with two house runs and eight RBIs. In three seasons at Coastal Carolina, he hit .326/.408/.571 with 32 house runs and 153 RBIs in 144 video games.
