Minnesota Twins minor league catcher Derek Bender was released by the team on Thursday for intentionally deflecting throws to opposing batters in a game that caused his Low-A affiliate team to be eliminated from the playoffs, a team source confirmed to The athlete.

Bender, 21, who plays for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, told Lakeland Flying Tigers hitters what pitches starter Ross Dunn was about to throw. ESPN reported that Bender “told his teammates he wanted the season to be over.”

Lakeland took advantage, scoring four runs in the second inning and winning 6-0 to clinch the Florida State League West Division title and knocking off the Mighty Mussels, who had led by six games three weeks earlier.

Considered a catcher who bats first and is likely to end up at first base or as a designated hitter, Bender fell to the Twins in the sixth round (No. 188 overall) after being widely considered a top-100 draft prospect. He signed for a $297,500 bonus, slightly below the slot.

Bender hit .326/.408/.571 with 32 home runs in 144 college games over three years at Coastal Carolina, showing off big right-handed power as part of an aggressive overall strategy at the plate. Several public draft analysts highlighted him as a strong mid-round pick for the Twins due to his offensive potential.

He struggled for much of his 19-game professional debut for Low-A Fort Myers, hitting just .200/.273/.333 with two home runs and a poor 20-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio while already playing more at first base than catcher. Bender likely would have started again in Fort Myers or at High-A Cedar Rapids next season.

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