The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Pro Blazer Update: June 2
6/2/2025 2:00:00 PM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM - The beginning of June marks the first edition of the 2025 Pro Blazer Update. This season, six former Blazers continue to make their way through professional baseball. Two former players, Graham Ashcraft and Garrett Whitlock have spent the entirety of the 2025 season in Major League Baseball. Tyler Tolbert, Chandler Simpson, and Brewer Hicklen have spent time at the major league and minor league levels this season. James Naile continues his career in the Korea Baseball Organization.
GRAHAM ASHCRAFT - CINCINNATI REDS
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 248 | Bats/Throws: L/R | Played at UAB: 2019
2025 Stats:
Record: 3-4 | ERA: 4.18 | G: 24 | GS: 0 | IP: 28.0 | K: 30 | BB: 12 | WHIP: 1.61
Note: After spending time as a starting pitcher last season, Ashcraft has transitioned into a relief role for all of 2025 so far. Ashcraft picked up season-highs in strikeouts (4) and innings pitched (3.0) on May 1 against St. Louis.
GARRETT WHITLOCK - BOSTON RED SOX
Hometown: Snellville, Ga.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 222 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2016-17
2025 Stats:
Record: 4-0 | ERA: 3.68 | G: 20 | GS: 0 | IP: 29.1 | K: 36 | BB: 13 | WHIP: 1.33
Note: Whitlock has not lost a game coming out of the Red Sox bullpen in 2025. Nine of Whitlock's 20 appearances have been at least 2.0 innings. He has recorded multiple strikeouts in 13 appearances.
BREWER HICKLEN - TOLEDO MUD HENS (TRIPLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE DETROIT TIGERS)
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
POS: OF | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 220 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2015-17
2025 Stats (Minors):
AVG: .220 | AB: 118 | H: 26 | R: 22 | 2B: 4 | 3B: 0 | HR: 2 | RBI: 8 | BB: 18 | SB: 13 | OPS: .657
Note: Hicklen was traded to the Detroit Tigers from the Milwaukee Brewers on March 28. Hicklen has recorded a season-high six total bases twice this season. Additionally, he recorded a season-high 4-RBI game on May 30 against Louisville.
TYLER TOLBERT - OMAHA STORM CHASERS (TRIPLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS)
Hometown: Trussville, Ala.
POS: Utility | Height: 5-11 | Weight 185 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2017-19
2025 Stats (Minors):
AVG: .259 | AB: 81 | H: 21 | R: 17 | 2B: 3 | 3B: 0 | HR: 2 | RBI: 9 | BB: 7 | SB: 8 | OPS: .646
Note: Tolbert made his major league debut on March 31 at Milwaukee. He spent a month with the big league club before spending the rest of his time with the Omaha Storm Chasers. Tolbert had back-to-back games with a home run on May 20 and 22.
CHANDLER SIMPSON - DURHAM BULLS (TRIPLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE TAMPA BAY RAYS)
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
POS: OF | Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170 | Bats/Throws: L/R | Played at UAB: 2020-21
2025 Stats (Minors)
AVG: .301 | AB: 73 | H: 22 | R: 13 | 2B: 0 | 3B: 1 | HR: 0 | RBI: 8 | BB: 3 | SB: 8 | OPS: .654
Note: Simpson was briefly called up to the major leagues before getting sent back down to Triple-A. In the 35 games he played with the Rays, Simpson had 19 stolen bases which was tied for 4th-best in the major leagues.
JAMES NAILE - KIA TIGERS (KOREA BASEBALL ORGANIZATION)
Hometown: Charleston, MO
POS: RHP | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 183 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2013-15
2025 Stats:
Record: 3-1 | ERA: 2.59 | G: 12 | GS: 11 | IP: 68.0 | K: 66 | BB: 18 | WHIP: 1.12 | QS: 8
Note: Naile has recorded a quality start in eight of his first 11 starts this season. He currently sits in 10th in the KBO in WHIP and has recorded at least six innings of work in eight games this season.
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