A former minor league catcher affiliated with the Minnesota Twins who faced release last year amid suspicions of deliberately undermining team performance has firmly denied the allegations. In a recent interview, he stated he did not provide opposing teams with information on pitches his own team was planning.
The player in question, Derek Bender, launched his professional career last year with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. Accusations arose against him, alleging he disclosed specific pitches to opponents during a game held on September 6. The incident reportedly led to Minnesota’s Class-A team missing the opportunity to participate in the Florida State League playoffs. It was purported that coaches of Fort Myers were notified post-game by their adversaries, the Lakeland Flying Tigers, a Detroit farm team.
“This is something I will carry with me forever. I did not give away pitches,” Bender declared to The Athletic in a story that was published on Thursday. “I never sought to provide the opposing team an advantage over my own.” The situation is currently under investigation by Major League Baseball, as reported by The Athletic.
Following the release of Bender, a 2024 sixth-round draft pick from Coastal Carolina, on September 12, ESPN mentioned that he had expressed to fellow team members his desire to conclude the season.
Bender, speaking to The Athletic, acknowledged feeling exhausted at the season’s close and explained his comments on intentionally losing were made in jest. “Many of us are fresh from grueling college seasons and intense summer schedules,” Bender explained during the interview. “You’re out there hitting poorly, facing some of the toughest opponents you’ve encountered. It’s a sink-or-swim situation, and you feel quite close to sinking. Discussions among us reveal everyone is ready to return home.”
