Alumni Spotlight: Saints in the WBC
This week's Alumni Spotlight highlights two former Saints who will be pitching in the World Baseball Classic
Gainesville, FL
Santa Fe Baseball will be represented at the World Baseball Classic, one of baseball's biggest international platforms. Two former Santa Fe pitchers will be donning their countries colors and trotting out to the mound to represent their countries at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Donovan Benoit and Ryan Yarborough are both preparing for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which kicks off on March 4th. Benoit represents Great Britain while Yarborough plays for Team USA. Below is a refresher on what these stellar athletes accomplished with Santa Fe Baseball.
Donovan Benoit (SF: 2018–2019 | RHP | Great Britain) Benoit was a steady presence in Santa Fe's rotation, making 14 starts in 2018–19 and finishing 5–3 with a 3.96 ERA across 63.2 innings with 68 strikeouts. Benoit was and still is a reliable starter who could provide length and produce whiffs. Now, he'll carry that same competitive edge into Pool B as part of Great Britain's pitching staff.
Ryan Yarborough (SF: 2010–2012 | LHP | USA) A 6'5 left-hander from Lakeland, Florida, Yarborough helped anchor Santa Fe on the mound, going 8–1 with a 2.15 ERA during his time with the Saints. He's since built a long MLB career, and he will bring veteran versatility to Team USA's WBC pitching staff.
However, the fun doesn't stop with these two pitchers just playing for their countries in the WBC. Benoit and Yarborough will have a chance to face off in pool play of the World Baseball Classic when Great Britain visits Team USA on Saturday, March 7 at 8:00 PM ET in Houston!
From JUCO innings in Gainesville to wearing their country's jersey on baseball's biggest international stage, Benoit and Yarborough are proof that what starts at Santa Fe can travel anywhere.
WBC Pool B schedule (Houston — Daikin Park)
Great Britain (Benoit)
● Fri, Mar 6 — Mexico vs. Great Britain — 1:00 PM ET
● Sat, Mar 7 — Great Britain vs. USA — 8:00 PM ET
● Sun, Mar 8 — Great Britain vs. Italy — 1:00 PM ET
● Mon, Mar 9 — Brazil vs. Great Britain — 1:00 PM ET
USA (Yarborough)
● Fri, Mar 6 — USA vs. Brazil — 8:00 PM ET
● Sat, Mar 7 — Great Britain vs. USA — 8:00 PM ET
● Mon, Mar 9 — Mexico vs. USA — 8:00 PM ET
● Tue, Mar 10 — Italy vs. USA — 9:00 PM ET