Miami Marlins 2021 Season Review: RHP Anthony Bender

Signed by the Miami Marlins as a free agent last November, right-hander Anthony Bender turned in a phenomenal rookie season during the 2021 campaign. After an impressive first season in Miami for the right-hander, Bender should play an important role in the Marlins bullpen in 2022.

Miami Marlins 2021 Season Review: RHP Anthony Bender

After an impressive Spring Training, Bender was called up to the major leagues for the first time in his career where he made his debut on May 5. Beginning one of the most-impressive spans for any reliever in baseball this season in the process, Bender would go-on to not allow a single earned run from May 5 to June 26.

A span that included 21.1 innings pitched, the right-hander would only allow a total of 10 hits across those 21 appearances, which also included five walks and 23 strikeouts, as well as opponents slashing .145/.221/.159 against. Bender would eventually allow his first earned run on June 29th, and would enter the month of July with a phenomenal 0.81 ERA for the year.

Beginning the month of July with a phenomenal series in Atlanta, the right-hander would however struggle at times across the months of July and August posting a combined 4.73 ERA across 26.2 innings pitched. Collecting three saves for the Marlins however, Bender would finish the season on a strong note posting a 2.19 ERA across 12 appearances for the month of September.

For the 2021 season overall, the 26-year-old rookie made a total of 60 appearances for the Marlins in which he posted a combined 3-2 record with a 2.79 ERA across 61.1 innings pitched. Collecting three saves in the process, Bender struck out a total of 71 batters compared to 20 walks, as well as opponents holding a .207/.287/.350 slash line against.

After posting one of the highest WAR’s among Marlins relievers as a rookie, Bender should return for the 2022 campaign as a late-inning option out of the Miami bullpen.