Derek Bender showed off an elite bat for a college catcher during his three-year career at Coastal Carolina, putting up averages of .326/.408/.571 with 32 homers and 153 RBIs in 144 games. The Minnesota Twins saw enough to select Bender in the sixth round of the 2024 MLB Draft, using the No. 188 overall pick to bring him into the organization.
The Twins released Bender on Thursday after one of the most bizarre baseball scandals of the season. It involves tipping pitches, elimination from playoff contention, and a desire to begin the offseason early from a player whose professional career might already be over.
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