Derek
Bender

Cape Cod: After a huge sophomore season for the Chants (.341/.399/.635, 19 HR, 83 RBI) the 6-foot-1, 210-pound slugger took the Cape by storm, earning All-Star Game MVP honors, finishing second in the league in batting average for the regular season, and then batting .294 with three home runs and 10 RBI in the playoffs. In the batter’s box Bender possesses very good hand/eye with a simple swing, balanced approach and very good overall strength. This combination allows him to hit for both average (.374) and power (.557 SLG) while controlling the zone (12 BB vs 15 SO). His average exit velocity of 84.4 mph on balls in play placed seventh in the Cape this summer, while his 106.2 EV max was good for third. Early in the Cape season he was referred to as mainly a mistake hitter who rarely chased out of the zone. By the end of the summer season he flipped that perspective into a top three round follow as an offense-first catcher who can also play first base. However, Bender is not just some stiff-bodied slugger. An average runner underway, he led the Cape with 19 stolen bases. And when given more opportunity behind the plate during the Braves’ postseason run, he looked comfortable with strong hands, solid receiving skills and the ability to steal some strikes on his glove side. With Bodine as Coastal’s primary catcher it might be tough to catch a look at Bender behind the plate back in Conway, but everything in the Cape leads me to believe he will be at least serviceable at the pro level. In this regard he is similar to Kemp Alderman, a recent second-rounder in the 2023 MLB draft from Ole Miss.

Bender ran a 7.71-60, an improvement from his last recorded time of 7.92.  Arm strength measured at 76-MPH from behind the plate, an improvement from last July with a pop time range of 2.02-2.09.

Catching prospect had 3 hits on the day. Impressive bat-speed for his age, hit a homerun to his pull-side. Strong armed catcher, solid looking player.

Bender stands in at 5-foot-8, 170-pounds with a lean athletic frame. Offensively- Righty sets up slightly open with his feet shoulder width apart. Shows a slight knee bend with an upright torso holding the bat in front of his back shoulder using little pre-pitch bat movement. On pitch, his trigger is a slight knee raise to stride forward squaring up with the pitcher while his hands move back into the hitting position. Gets good lower body rotation utilizing the whole-body frame in the swing. Shows quick hands to the hitting zone with an upward lift barrel action throughout into a high one-handed finish. Demonstrated good plate coverage with gap to gap ability during batting practice rounds. Overall a good swing with a lot of room for growth. Recorded an exit velocity of 80 MPH. Defensively- Frames pitches well remaining quiet with the glove. Shows quick mechanics on throws to second but could stay shorter and more downhill to cut off time and get the ball out quicker. Blocks the ball well staying square and pops up onto his feet athletically. Recorded a positional arm velocity of 68 MPH with a pop time range of 2.17-2.22.