Alabama State baseball players, Juan Cruz and Kameron Douglas were selected in the 20th round of the MLB draft.
Alabama State baseball saw the names of two Hornets called in round 20 of the MLB Draft on Tuesday.
Sophomore Juan Cruz was selected by the Washington Nationals with the No. 591 overall pick, while junior Kameron Douglas landed with the Detroit Tigers with the No. 609 overall pick.
The MLB draft opened July 13 with rounds one through three and concluded July 14 with rounds four through 20.
“I am very proud of them both, they represent the best of this program and are incredible men,” Alabama State head coach Jose Vazquez said. “It says a lot about the program and what we are building here at Alabama State whenever you send two talented players like Douglas and Cruz to the next level.”
Cruz patrolled first base for the Hornets in 2025, leading Alabama State in 11 hitting categories while posting a .981 fielding percentage.
Cruz posted a .418 batting average in 2025 with 251 at-bats, recording 105 hits and 23 doubles — both best in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Cruz also led the NCAA in total hits and ranked third nationally in hits per game.
Douglas, a utility player for the Hornets, led Alabama State in home runs with 17 in 2025, translating to a slugging percentage of .643.
Cruz and Douglas, both First Team All-SWAC players, participated on the National League roster in the HBCU Swingman Classic on July 11 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia as a part of the MLB All-Star weekend festivities.
In the bottom of the second inning of the Classic, Douglas blasted a 417-foot home run to center field to give the National League team an early lead.
The last time Alabama State had two draftees in the MLB draft was in 2015 when Jorge Pantoja went to the Washington Nationals in the 30th round and Amando Ruiz was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 29th round.
“The draft is shorter than what it used to be, so it can be very difficult to hear your name called,” Vazquez said. “That’s why I know they earned the right to have their name called and I wish them nothing but the best in the next step of their careers.”
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama State baseball duo drafted in 20th round of MLB draft
Category: General Sports
