Derek Bender, a minor league catcher in the Twins organization, is no longer with the team.
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan reported on Thursday night that Minnesota released Bender after he was telling opposing batters what pitches were coming during a game with playoff implications late in the 2024 season.
Bender played 19 games in 2024 for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, the Single-A affiliate of the Twins. During that time, he hit .200/.273/.333 with two home runs and eight RBIs.
Neither Bender nor the Twins have commented at this time.
Here is more on Bender and why he was cut from the Twins.
MORE: MLB updated playoff standings, magic numbers for 2024 postseason
Why was Derek Bender cut from Twins organization?
Bender was cut from the Twins organization after he reportedly told opposing batters what pitches were coming during a Single-A game last week that eliminated the catcher's team, the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, from playoff contention.
During a game between Fort Myers and the Lakeland Flying Tigers, Bender reportedly was tipping batters of the pitches coming from the starting pitcher, Ross Dunn. As a result, Lakeland scored four runs in the second inning en route to a 6-0 win, clinching the Florida State League West division and eliminating the Mighty Mussels from playoff contention.
It was reported that Bender's teammates said he "wanted the season to be over." He did not play in either of the final two games of the season, spending the contest in the team's bullpen rather than the dugout.
MORE: Tracking Shohei Ohtani's chase for 50/50 club
What is tipping pitches?
Pitch tipping typically refers to when a pitcher unknowingly gives a sign that batters are able to pick up on that allows them to know what kind of pitch is coming.
This could vary from anything to what part of the glove the pitcher touches, what position he has hands in his windup, or where he stands on the rubber.
However, when it comes to the Bender situation, it's not nearly as complex. Batters didn't have to look for any clues from the man on the mound because Bender was reportedly telling them which pitches were coming anyway. The Twins draft pick essentially cut out all the hard work the offense had to do by telling them the game plan when they were in the batter's box.
MORE: How former MLB player joined Arkansas football as wide receiver
Derek Bender draft
Bender was a 2024 draft pick by the Twins, taken 188th overall in the sixth round. He signed with Minnesota for $297,500, which was slightly below the $320,800 slot for that selection.
In three seasons at Coastal Carolina, the catcher slashed .326/.408/.571 with 32 home runs and 153 RBIs in 144 games.
