Senior first baseman Miguel Oropeza was named 2025 First Team NAIA All-American, presented by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings (ABCA/Rawlings). The teams are selected by members of the American Baseball Coaches Association and the NAIA-Baseball Coaches Association All-America Committee.

"I can honestly say that having Oropeza on our team has been a true blessing. From the moment he joined us, Miguel brought a level of passion, discipline, and heart that's hard to put into words. He's not just a NAIA All-American because of his talent—he's earned that title through grit, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to his teammates. It's no coincidence that he's been named an All-American in back-to-back years," said Marcos Dominguez.

Oropeza had a banner year for Talladega as he was the only Tornado to start all 54 games, while assisting the team to the HBCUAC 2025 title and the Automatic Qualifier to the NAIA Baseball Regionals.  Talladega finished the season with a 43-14 record and a 27-3 conference record, while posting a 21-4 mark at home.

The first baseman won the HBCUAC triple crown, leading the league in home runs (18), batting average (.531), and RBI (82). The senior tallied 16 doubles, four triples, and 38 walks this past season. He was the only player in the conference to hit more than 10 home runs, the only player to hit above .500, and the only player to drive in more than 50 runs. The HBCUAC is the second conference Oropeza has been named the Most Valuable Player, after taking home the honors in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference last year.

According to Dominguez, "Miguel works hard every single day and is always looking for ways to improve. He leads with quiet strength, always putting the team first and lifting others up with his example. On the field, he's a game-changer; off the field, he's the kind of person every coach hopes to work with. What makes him even more special is that his leadership doesn't stop at the sidelines—Miguel is a true leader in the classroom as well. He takes his academics seriously, holds himself to a high standard, and inspires his teammates to do the same. Watching him grow into the student-athlete he is today has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey here, and I'm truly excited to see what the future holds for him."

ABCA/Rawlings Release