Anthony Bender Bio
Anthony Wayne Bender is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals with the 613th pick in the 20th round of the 2016 MLB draft and made his MLB debut in 2021. Known for working out of the bullpen, Bender has built his career as a reliable relief option in Miami, working through both early promise and major injury setbacks along the way.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Wayne Bender was born on February 3, 1995, in the United States. He grew up in Northern California, where he developed an interest in baseball at a young age. Bender attended local schools in the Santa Rosa area before continuing his baseball path at the collegiate level.
After high school, Bender enrolled at Santa Rosa Junior College, where he played college baseball. The community college program gave him a stage to develop his pitching skills and attract the attention of professional scouts. His time at Santa Rosa Junior College became the launching point for a career in professional baseball, eventually leading to his selection in the 2016 MLB draft.
Path to Baseball
Bender’s path to professional baseball began to take shape at Santa Rosa Junior College, where he refined his game as a pitcher. His performances there were enough to catch the attention of MLB scouts, and he was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 20th round of the 2016 MLB draft. Going in the 20th round meant a long climb through the minor leagues, but it also gave Bender the chance to prove himself against a steady stream of competition.
After his release from the Royals organization in March 2019, Bender took the unusual route of independent baseball, joining the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association. A short stint in independent ball led to a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, who assigned him across multiple levels of their farm system. When the 2020 minor league season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bender returned to independent baseball with the Milwaukee Milkmen, where he won the American Association championship.
Anthony Bender Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Anthony Wayne Bender made his professional debut for the rookie-level Arizona League Royals after being drafted in 2016. In 2017, he split the season between the Single-A Lexington Legends and the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks, posting a combined 5–6 record with a 3.96 ERA. The following year, he spent the entire 2018 campaign in Wilmington, recording a 6–3 record and a 3.57 ERA across 30 appearances, showing steady progress as a relief pitcher.
On March 21, 2019, Bender was released by the Kansas City Royals. The setback pushed him into independent baseball, where he signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association. He pitched three and two-thirds scoreless innings for Sioux City before signing a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on May 29, 2019.
Milwaukee Brewers Era (2019–2020)
After joining the Milwaukee Brewers organization, Bender pitched for the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the High-A Carolina Mudcats, and the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers. Across 29 appearances, he posted an impressive 1.49 ERA, showing the kind of consistency that major league teams look for in late-inning relievers.
When the 2020 minor league season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bender joined the Milwaukee Milkmen of the American Association for the 2020 season. He posted a 5.48 ERA with 25 strikeouts for the Milkmen, and his work helped the club win the American Association championship. On November 2, 2020, Bender elected free agency, opening the door to his next opportunity in Miami.
Miami Marlins Era (2021–Present)
On November 30, 2020, Anthony Wayne Bender signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins organization. On May 4, 2021, he was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his debut the following day, pitching a scoreless inning of relief and recording his first MLB strikeout against Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Tim Locastro. He did not allow an earned run until his 22nd major league appearance, finishing his rookie season with a 3–2 record, 2.79 ERA, and 71 strikeouts across 60 appearances.
In 2022, Bender pitched in 22 games for the Marlins, recording a 1–3 record and 3.26 ERA with 17 strikeouts and six saves in 19 and one-third innings of work. On August 14, 2022, he was placed on the injured list with a right elbow strain. On August 30, 2022, Bender underwent Tommy John surgery, ending his 2022 season and forcing him to miss the entire 2023 season as well.
Bender returned from surgery in 2024, making 59 appearances out of the bullpen for the Marlins. In those games, he posted a 5–2 record and 4.08 ERA with 59 strikeouts and one save over 53 innings of work. He made 51 appearances for Miami during the 2025 season, compiling a 3–5 record and 2.16 ERA with 42 strikeouts over 50 innings of work. On August 19, 2025, it was announced that Bender had suffered a season-ending stress reaction in his right tibia.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Anthony Wayne Bender’s career came on May 5, 2021, when he recorded his first major league strikeout against Tim Locastro of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also won an American Association championship with the Milwaukee Milkmen in 2020, a title that helped revive his professional career after his release from the Royals organization.
Anthony Bender Career Wins
Miami Marlins Highlights
Anthony Wayne Bender has built the bulk of his major league resume with the Miami Marlins since 2021. In his rookie season, he appeared in 60 games and posted a 3–2 record with a 2.79 ERA and 71 strikeouts. After returning from Tommy John surgery, he worked 59 appearances in 2024 with a 5–2 record and 4.08 ERA, and in 2025 he logged a 3–5 record and 2.16 ERA across 51 appearances before a stress reaction in his right tibia ended his season.
Anthony Bender Family
Personal Life
Little verified information is publicly available about Anthony Wayne Bender’s personal and family life. He is known to be an American national, and his public profile is centered on his professional baseball career with the Miami Marlins.
2025 Season Performance
Anthony Wayne Bender’s 2025 season with the Miami Marlins once again showed the value he brings as a late-inning reliever. He made 51 appearances out of the bullpen, compiling a 3–5 record and 2.16 ERA with 42 strikeouts over 50 innings of work. The 2.16 ERA marked one of the strongest stretches of his major league career and underlined the gains he had made in his return from Tommy John surgery.
On August 19, 2025, the Marlins announced that Bender had suffered a season-ending stress reaction in his right tibia, cutting his campaign short. Through June 20, 2026, his career MLB totals stood at 13 wins against 13 losses, a 3.01 ERA, and 225 strikeouts. As he works his way back from injury, the Marlins are expected to lean on Bender’s track record of strong relief work once he returns to full health.
