The Minnesota Twins released catching prospect Derek Bender on Thursday for disclosing incoming pitches to his team’s opponent during at-bats, ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel reported.
According to Passan and McDaniel, Bender was playing for the Twins’ Low-A affiliate, the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, during a doubleheader on Sept. 6 when he told multiple hitters from the Lakeland Flying Tigers — an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers — which pitch to expect from starter Ross Dunn.
The Mighty Mussels lost that game 6-0 and were eliminated from playoff contention in the Florida State League, despite holding a six-game lead in August.
Per Passan and McDaniel, Lakeland coaches informed Fort Myers coaches after the game and Bender spent the remaining two games of the Mighty Mussels’ season in the bullpen rather than the dugout. Bender also reportedly told teammates earlier that he was eager for the season to be over.
Bender, selected in the sixth round by the Twins this year, as well as the Twins, declined to comment to Passan.
After he was selected, Bender signed for $297,500. Despite being released, he will reportedly keep the entirety of his bonus.
The baseball world was shocked when news broke that the Minnesota Twins had released their promising catching prospect after an investigation revealed that he had been sharing information about the team’s upcoming pitches with their opponents. The report, conducted by the team’s front office, found that the player had been communicating with players from opposing teams and providing them with details about the Twins’ pitching strategy.
This revelation has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the game and the importance of fair play in professional sports. The Twins, who had high hopes for the young catcher, were forced to take swift action to address the situation and protect the integrity of their team.
The player in question has not been named publicly, but sources close to the team have indicated that he was a highly regarded prospect with a bright future in the organization. It is unclear what motivated him to engage in this behavior, but it has undoubtedly tarnished his reputation and cast a shadow over his career in baseball.
The Twins have made it clear that they have zero tolerance for cheating or unethical behavior and will not hesitate to take action against anyone who violates the trust of the organization. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of honesty and sportsmanship in professional sports, and the consequences that can result from betraying that trust.
Moving forward, the Twins will undoubtedly be more vigilant in monitoring their players and ensuring that they uphold the highest standards of integrity. The team’s fans and supporters are left to wonder how such a promising young player could have made such a costly mistake, and what steps can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In the end, this unfortunate situation serves as a cautionary tale for all athletes and sports organizations, highlighting the importance of honesty, integrity, and fair play in the world of professional sports. The Twins may have lost a valuable prospect, but they have gained a valuable lesson in the importance of upholding the principles that make sports great.