BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Alabama State University's Juan Cruz and Kyler McIntosh selected to the Preseason First-Team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) preseason squad announced on Monday.

Cruz earned All-SWAC Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Conference honors in 2024. He second Hornet in as many seasons and fourth overall to be named the SWAC's Freshman of the Year. The Apopka, Fla., native played in 47 games with 37 starts, hitting .388 (2ndSWAC/33 NCAA) with 10 doubles, 11 home runs, and 57 RBI (3rdSWAC). His .641 slugging percentage is seventh in the SWAC.  

McIntosh was a second-team selection in 2024 has started in 51 games between shortstop and first base. The Columbus, Ind., native is batting .312 with 18 doubles, four home runs and 39 RBI. 

Alabama State was picked fourth in the Preseason SWAC Baseball Poll behind defending champion Grambling State, Bethune-Cookman and Jackson State.

Florida A&M is picked fifth followed by Southern, Texas Southern, Prairie View, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Alabama A&M, Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State.
 
Preseason Player of the Year
Jordan McCladdie, Jackson State 
 
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Caleb Granger, Florida A&M
 
Preseason All-SWAC Baseball First Team
C – Broedy Poppell, Florida A&M
1B – Juan Cruz, Alabama State
2B – Lee Allen, Prairie View A&M
3B – Jaden Jones, Texas Southern
SS – Kyler McIntosh, Alabama State
DH – Carlos Rodriguez, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
OF – Jordan McCladdie, Jackson State
OF – Michael Burroughs, Prairie View A&M
OF – Joseph Eichelberger, Jackson State
SP – Tanner Boccabello, Bethune-Cookman
SP – Caleb Granger, Florida A&M
RP – Pablo Torres, Bethune-Cookman

Preseason All-SWAC Baseball Second Team
1B – Manny Souffrain, Bethune-Cookman
2B – Ben Martin, Alcorn State 
3B – Marshal Jonas, Prairie View A&M 
SS – Robert Tate Jr., Jackson State 
DH – Jason Lazo, Texas Southern
OF – Brycen Hammonds, Alabama A&M
OF – Michael Smith, Prairie View A&M
OF – Sergio Rivera, Bethune-Cookman 
SP – Mason Martinez, Grambling State
SP – Ranard Grace, Southern
RP – Javier Martinez, Grambling State 
 
2025 SWAC Baseball Preseason Poll
Predicted Order of Finish

1. Grambling State- 156 (7) 
2. Bethune-Cookman- 150 (3) 
3. Jackson State- 146
4. Alabama State- 142 (1) 
5. Florida A&M- 140 (2) 
6. Southern- 119 (1) 
7. Texas Southern- 103 
8. Prairie View A&M- 97
9. Arkansas-Pine Bluff- 58 (1) 
10. Alabama A&M- 47
11. Alcorn State- 42 (1) 
12. Mississippi Valley State- 40 

 *First place votes listed in parenthesis