Wesley Chapel Resident Xavier Scruggs Joins Cast of NBC's "The Traitors: New Blood"

WESLEY CHAPEL / PASCO COUNTY, FL — A familiar face from Major League Baseball is trading the dugout for a Scottish castle. Wesley Chapel resident Xavier Scruggs has joined the cast of NBC's "The Traitors: New Blood," the Emmy-winning reality competition's first all-civilian season.

What the Show Is About

"The Traitors: New Blood" brings together 22 everyday Americans at a castle in the Scottish Highlands, competing for a prize pool worth up to $250,000. Contestants known as "Faithfuls" try to identify and eliminate hidden "Traitors" before the finale, while the Traitors secretly "murder" other contestants each week. Alan Cumming returns as host.

Who Is Xavier Scruggs?

Scruggs previously played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins before transitioning into his current role as an MLB analyst. On the show, he says he'd rather play as a Traitor than a Faithful, and he's leaning on lessons from his playing days to navigate the game. "I think that's where playing a long season in Major League Baseball helps you understand there's going to be certain highs and certain lows, and you have to be strategic about how you're going to use your energy at the right times," Scruggs said. "Understanding leadership as well — knowing who's the top dog at a certain point, and being able to insert yourself in that same type of role."

Scruggs isn't the only Floridian in this season's cast — Katie Fites, a marketing manager from Jacksonville, is also competing.

When to Watch

"The Traitors: New Blood" premiered with a special two-hour episode Sept. 17 on NBC, with new episodes airing Thursdays at 8 p.m. Episodes stream the following day on Peacock.

Why It Matters for Wesley Chapel

Reality TV casting doesn't come around often for local residents, and having a Wesley Chapel name compete on a national, Emmy-winning show gives the community a fun, low-stakes story to follow each week. Whether Scruggs plays it as a Traitor or a Faithful, Wesley Chapel has a rooting interest all season long.

📍 Filmed at a castle in the Scottish Highlands; Scruggs resides in Wesley Chapel, FL

📅 Premiered: September 17, 2026, on NBC | New episodes Thursdays, 8 PM

🌐 Streaming on Peacock | Reporting from the Tampa Bay Times and NBC Insider