From Campus to Classroom: Stories That Shape Education
Alabama State University made history this week as two of its standout baseball players—Juan Cruz and Kameron Douglas—were selected in the 20th round of the 2025 MLB Draft. The pair marks the first Hornet duo to be drafted in the same year since 2015, signaling a continued rise in the program’s visibility and talent development.
Cruz was selected 591st overall by the Washington Nationals, while Douglas was taken just a few picks later, 609th overall by the Detroit Tigers. Their selections come after a dominant season for both players, where they played pivotal roles in Alabama State’s success within the SWAC.
Juan Cruz: Dominant at the Plate
Cruz’s 2025 season was nothing short of stellar. The senior infielder appeared in all 60 games for the Hornets, finishing with a team-best .420 batting average. He totaled 106 hits, 23 doubles, 14 home runs, and 73 RBIs, establishing himself as one of the most productive hitters in Division I baseball.
He was named the SWAC Co-Hitter of the Year, earned First Team All-SWAC honors, and was recognized nationally as a Third Team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. His offensive production also included a .480 on-base percentage and a .690 slugging percentage, placing him among the nation’s elite in nearly every statistical category.
Cruz led the SWAC in total hits, doubles, and hits per game. He ranked top five in batting average, runs scored, home runs, RBIs, and slugging percentage. His 106 total hits were second most in the nation, and he was top three in hits per game.
Kameron Douglas: Power and Consistency
Douglas, a fellow senior, was also a consistent force at the plate. In 55 games, he posted a .338 batting average, with 16 doubles, 14 home runs, and 56 RBIs. Like Cruz, he was named to the First Team All-SWAC and ranked among conference leaders in home runs, RBIs, and total bases.
His offensive numbers included a .616 slugging percentage, and he was top 10 in the SWAC in sacrifice flies, total hits, and slugging. His strong play helped anchor Alabama State’s offense during a season where the Hornets were among the most competitive teams in the conference.
Draft Milestone for Alabama State
Cruz and Douglas becoming back-to-back selections in the same round marks a major achievement for the Hornets program. The last time ASU saw two players drafted in the same year was a decade ago in 2015, when Jorge Pantoja and Amando Ruiz were selected by the Nationals and Athletics, respectively.
The Hornets’ recent draft success also includes Randy Flores, who was taken in the 8th round of the 2024 MLB Draft—the second-highest draft pick in school history. With three players selected in two years, Alabama State’s reputation as a legitimate MLB pipeline is solidifying.
This moment not only reflects the individual excellence of Cruz and Douglas but also highlights the growing competitiveness of SWAC baseball. Their success on the national stage adds to the momentum for HBCU baseball programs as they continue producing next-level talent.
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