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Anthony Bender, P

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Scouting report

Bender was a Royals and Brewers minor leaguer who also pitched in Indy ball in 2019 and '20 (for the Milwaukee Milkmen!) before signing a minor league deal with the Marlins. He had a very impressive 2021 spring training, striking out 10 and allowing just five baserunners in eight innings of work. Though he was throwing pretty hard in 2019 (93-95, touch 97), he's throwing even harder now and was consistently 96-98 during camp. He's a low-slot sinker/slider guy, and with a name like Bender you know the slider is pretty good. He actually threw it more than his fastball during the spring. It'll typically be in the 85-87 range but tops out at 89, and Bender's low-ish slot makes it a tough look for righty batters. I think he has a chance to carve out a regular middle relief role at some point this year. (Independent ball)