Analyst calls sixth-round pick the Twins’ “most valuable” pick in the 2024 MLB Draft

ESPN analyst Kiley McDaniel called sixth-round pick Derek Bender the Twins’ top pick in the recent 2024 MLB Draft. Minnesota selected Bender 188th overall on Monday.

Bender, a catcher from Coastal Carolina, hit .320 with 11 home runs, 63 RBI, 10 steals and a .942 OPS for the Chanticleers last season. He was even better in 2023, when he posted a .341 average, 19 bombs, 83 RBI and a 1.034 OPS. Bender also hit .374 for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod League last summer, stealing 18 bases in 31 games. 235-pound catchers don’t usually do that.

Bender’s home run in the CCBL championship game last August went slightly viral:

Realistically, Bender probably won’t stay behind the plate if he can move up in the Twins’ system; he’s viewed more as a first baseman or DH type at the professional level. The Twins also drafted Loyola Marymount catcher Khadim Diaw in the third round on Monday, adding to their organizational depth at the position.

Here’s more from McDaniel on Minnesota’s first draft picks:

“The Twins tend to play it safe, with hit-first and up-the-middle guys with their top picks (Brooks Lee, Walker Jenkins, Luke Keaschall in the last two drafts), then open up more potential with later picks. And they did that again this year. Kaelen Culpepper and Kyle DeBarge are hit-first shortstops who are expected to stay at the position with stealthy power, similar to Keaschall. Billy Amick has a lot of power, but fits in a corner and has real trouble missing shots in the zone. Dasan Hill is a bit of a risk in relief, but flashed some power from the left side as a teenager.”

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