HOUSTON – The New Balance Future Stars Series will host the highly anticipated 2026 Caribbean Classic presented by DraftLine from January 17-19 at Estadio Isidoro Garcia in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
The event will feature amateur players and coaches from ten different countries including the United States, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Colombia.
The players selected by Future Stars Series staff will be divided into four different teams, Team FSS US, Team FSS Puerto Rico, Team FSS Dominican Republic, and Team FSS Caribbean Mix.
Full rosters will be announced later but some of the players that have committed and will attend include: LHP/1B RJ Cope (Lawrenceville, GA), INF Easton Autrey (Corsicana, TX), LHP Hudson Tuley (Abilene, TX), RHP/1B JP Harmon (Novato, CA), INF Isaac Torres (Converse, TX), C Jax Van Valkenburg (Owasso, OK), INF Cole Prosek (Senatobia, MS), RHP Michael Teasley (Oak Ridge, TN), INF Dominic Pellegrin (Metairie, LA), Kaizen Dorsette (Nassau, Bahamas), Malique Isreal (Nassau, Bahamas), Asher Simms (Nassau, Bahamas), Yeickxel Rivera (Ponce, Puerto Rico), INF/OF Kail Pena (Caguas, Puerto Rico), Alan Gippson (Gurabo, Puerto Rico), Yeriel Rivera (Coamo, Puerto Rico), Carlos Coira (Vega Alta, Puerto Rico), SS Reilyn Mendoza (Dominican Republic), SS Caonabo Cosme Jr. (Dominican Republic), SS Ismael Beltre (Dominican Republic), Rodolfo Sanchez (Dorado, Puerto Rico), Saul Maldonado (Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico) and Derick Cedeno (Yauco, Puerto Rico).
The general manager and managers for each team are as follows:
Team FSS US – Kelcey Mucker (General Manager), Arnold Brathwaite (Assistant General Manager) and Chris McMinn (Manager)
Kelcey Mucker is a former 1st round pick of the Minnesota Twins back in 1993 and spent a decade in professional baseball. Arnold Brathwaite has spent over 30 years in baseball and currently works as an area scout for the Washington Nationals and serves on the NBFSS Advisory Board. Chris McMinn is one of the most accomplished high school baseball coaches in the country winning multiple state championships at Magnolia Heights HS (MS) and guiding his team to a Top 10 ranking in last year’s Baseball America national HS rankings.
Team FSS Puerto Rico – Ebik Torres (General Manager), Joey Sola (Assistant General Manager). The manager of Team FSS Puerto Rico is still TBD.
Ebik Torres is a lawyer and front office consultant for Team Puerto Rico and the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Joey Sola has spent years in baseball working as a scout, helping identify many players including Carlos Correa and Kike Hernandez. He is currently the Operations Manager for Team Puerto Rico that will compete in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Team FSS Dominican Republic – Felix Francisco (General Manager), Jose Offerman (Assistant General Manager), and Juan Polonia (Manager)
Felix Francisco began his scouting career in 1995 with the Atlanta Braves. Since then, he’s made stops with the San Diego Padres and Houston Astros serving as their Director of Latin American scouting. Jose Offerman signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1986 and went on to play professional baseball for 20 seasons, including 15 years with MLB clubs. He was a .273 lifetime hitter with 57 career home runs and 537 runs batted in. Juan Polonia is a former professional baseball player from Santo Domingo that played for several years in the Kansas City Royals organization and now coaches.
Team FSS Caribbean Mix – Geron Sands (General Manager), Edgar Gonzalez (Assistant General Manager), and Randolph Oduber (Manager)
Geron Sands is a former college and professional baseball player that currently trains and develops talent in the Bahamas through his I-Elite Academy. Players he has trained include Jazz Chisholm, Kristian Robinson, and Sebastian Walcott. Edgar Gonzalez, brother of former big leaguer Adrian Gonzalez, is currently an MLB analyst for FOX Deportes after a professional career both in the US and in Japan. Randolph Oduber is a former professional baseball player from Aruba that played for several years in the Washington National organization before continuing his career overseas.
A Statement from Jeremy Booth, CEO and President of Baseball Operations for the New Balance Future Stars Series:
“The return of the Caribbean Classic presented by DraftLine is an exceptional moment for us. This roster is loaded — exactly what an event of this caliber deserves — and it’s fitting that we’re heading to Puerto Rico, which was the first location we wanted for this event years ago.
The Dominican club looks extremely talented, the Puerto Rican club is exceptional, and the overall Caribbean mix — with players from the Bahamas, Mexico, Colombia, Curacao, and others of Dominican origin or earned inclusion — makes this a truly special competition.
Between the jerseys, hats, and footwear with New Balance, and being in the city of Mayaguez on the water — home to one of the best stadiums in the country — this event carries personal meaning for me. That stadium was once home to an old hitting coach of mine, who passed away some years ago, and it adds an extra layer of significance.
I’m thankful for everyone working with us to bring this to life — from the clubs in both the American and National Leagues who’ve offered support, to the World Baseball Classic staff, area scouts, crosscheckers, scouting directors, and vice presidents contributing to make this as strong as it can be.
It’s positioned perfectly in the calendar to see players in a way that’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We can’t wait to compete for the belt, see who rises to the occasion, and get to Mayaguez.”
The event was first held back in 2022 and now returns 3 years later.
More information on the classic will be available soon.
About New Balance Future Stars Series
The New Balance Future Stars Series presented by Program 15 is a global platform for amateur baseball development and scouting, powered by a commitment to impact, integrity, and player-focused innovation. Its alumni can be found throughout professional baseball, and its events and partnerships have reshaped how talent is identified, nurtured, and celebrated.
Connect with New Balance Future Stars Series by visiting our website, www.futurestarsseries.com, by visiting our YouTube page and by checking out the social media channels listed below.
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