Nine Former Tortugas Set to Compete in 2026 World Baseball Classic

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — When the 2026 World Baseball Classic begins on Friday, March 6, nine former Daytona Tortugas will take the field representing six different countries on baseball’s biggest international stage.

From rising prospects to established Major League veterans, the group spans nearly a decade of Tortugas history, proof once again that the road from Jackie Robinson Ballpark can lead anywhere in the world.

Puerto Rico’s Edwin Arroyo headlines the list. The Arecibo native appeared in 27 games for Daytona in 2022 after joining the Reds organization via the Luis Castillo trade, hitting .227/.303/.381 with six doubles and three triples as a 19-year-old in the Florida State League. Since then, Arroyo has steadily climbed the system, reaching Double-A Chattanooga, and earning a spot on Cincinnati’s big league 40-man spring training roster. After rebounding from shoulder surgery in 2025 to hit .284 over the final months of the season, Arroyo enters camp as one of the organization’s top defensive shortstops. He’ll suit up for Puerto Rico in Pool A play, which opens March 6 at 7:00 p.m. ET against Colombia in San Juan.

Mexico’s roster features two former Tortugas in left-hander Brennan Bernardino and right-hander Irvin Machuca. Bernardino pitched 60.2 innings in Daytona during the 2016 season, posting a 3.71 ERA before eventually carving out a Major League career that now spans 169 appearances and a 3.47 lifetime ERA. Recently traded to the Colorado Rockies, the veteran reliever is expected to serve in high-leverage situations when Mexico opens Pool B play March 6 at 1:00 p.m. ET against Great Britain in Houston.

Machuca represents the next wave. Signed out of Mexico prior to the 2025 season, the hard-throwing right-hander made six appearances in Daytona last summer and did not allow a run across 12.1 innings, striking out 17 while holding opponents to a .027 average, before a speedy promotion to High-A Dayton. Featuring a fastball that sits in the upper 90’s, Machuca continues to rise quickly through the Reds system and now takes his power arsenal to the international stage.

Colombia will feature a pair of Tortugas alumni in left-hander Reiver Sanmartin and right-hander David Lorduy. Sanmartin made 13 starts for Daytona in 2019, posting a 3.78 ERA across 64.1 innings. He debuted in the Major Leagues in 2021 and has since appeared in 62 MLB games, including a strong finish to the 2025 season in Triple-A that led to an offseason move to the San Francisco Giants organization. Colombia opens tournament play against Puerto Rico on March 6 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Lorduy, one of the younger players in the tournament field, continues his rapid development. The 22-year-old right-hander posted a 0.60 ERA in five Daytona outings in 2024 before making 19 appearances (15 starts) for the Tortugas in 2025, recording a 3.88 ERA with 60 strikeouts over 65 innings. His selection to Colombia’s roster marks another milestone in his steady progression through the Reds pipeline.

Stuart Fairchild will represent Chinese Taipei after spending parts of the 2018 and 2019 seasons in Daytona. Over 130 games across those two campaigns, Fairchild hit .254 with 10 home runs and developed into one of the Florida State League’s most versatile outfielders. Since then, the former second-round pick has appeared in parts of five Major League seasons with Arizona, Seattle, San Francisco, Cincinnati and Atlanta, launching 18 career home runs and stealing 13 bases during a career-best campaign in 2024. Chinese Taipei begins Pool C action in Tokyo on March 5 at 10:00 p.m. ET (March 6 local time).

Great Britain’s Ivan Johnson also traces his professional roots to Daytona. A switch-hitting utility player, Johnson hit .265/.368/.439 with four home runs in 27 games for the Tortugas in 2021. He has since reached Triple-A Louisville, where he has emerged as one of the more productive bats in the Reds’ upper levels, including a torrid start to the 2025 season. Great Britain faces Mexico in its tournament opener March 6 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Israel’s Robert Stock brings veteran experience to the field. Stock posted a 2.52 ERA in 16 appearances for Daytona in 2017 during his transition from catcher to full-time pitcher. Armed with triple-digit velocity, he has since pitched in the Major Leagues with San Diego, Boston, Chicago and New York, while also capturing a pitching Triple Crown during winter ball in Mexico. Israel opens Pool D play March 7 at 7:00 p.m. ET in Miami.

Rounding out the list is Chadwick Tromp, who spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons in Daytona. Tromp combined for 106 games behind the plate during his time with the Tortugas and has since appeared in 67 Major League games with San Francisco, Atlanta and Baltimore. The Aruban catcher will once again represent the Kingdom of the Netherlands when Pool D begins vs. Venezuela on March 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic features pool play in San Juan, Houston and Tokyo before the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship game take place in Miami. The final is scheduled for March 17 at 8:00 p.m. ET at loanDepot park.

For nine former Tortugas, the journey to the World Baseball Classic began in Daytona Beach. Now, with the world watching, they return to the field representing not only their countries, but a franchise that has long served as a stepping stone to baseball’s biggest stages.

OPENING DAY

The Tortugas open the 2026 season on April 2nd at Jackie Robinson Ballpark against the Jupiter Hammerheads. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET, with postgame fireworks to follow.

ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS

The Daytona Tortugas are entering their 11th season as the Single-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Florida State League. The Tortugas play at historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida. “The Jack” was recently designated a National Commemorative Site and also plays host to Bethune-Cookman University, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Museum, and many community events and initiatives of all sizes throughout the year.