The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Pro Blazer Update: June 30
6/30/2025 11:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM - As the calendar flips to July, five former Blazers continue to push through professional baseball. The Green and Gold boast three Major League players, one player in the Minor Leagues, and one player 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: 5-4 | ERA: 4.19 | G: 29 | GS: 0 | IP: 34.1 | K: 38 | BB: 14 | WHIP: 1.61
Note: Ashcraft was placed on the 15-day IL on June 17, retroactive to June 16, with a right groin strain. The earliest date Ashcraft is eligible to return is July 1 as the Reds travel to Boston.
TYLER TOLBERT - KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Hometown: Trussville, Ala.
POS: Utility | Height: 5-11 | Weight 185 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2017-19
2025 Stats:
AVG: .111 | AB: 9 | H: 1 | R: 3 | 2B: 0 | 3B: 0 | HR: 0 | RBI: 0 | BB: 0 | SB: 8 | OPS: .250
Note: Tolbert continues his stint with the big league club. He picked up a stolen base in back-to-back games he played in (6/15 vs. Athletics and 6/20 at San Diego).
Click HERE to watch Tolbert's first career hit.
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: 5-1 | ERA: 3.51 | G: 30 | GS: 0 | IP: 41.0 | K: 50 | BB: 19 | WHIP: 1.22
Note: Whitlock has recorded at least one strikeout in all but one outing in the month of June. He carried a 67% strike percentage and a .135 opponents batting average this month in 10 appearances.
Click HERE to watch Whitlock pick up a save on June 15 to complete the sweep against the Yankees.
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: .211 | AB: 185 | H: 39 | R: 32 | 2B: 8 | 3B: 1 | HR: 5 | RBI: 23 | BB: 24 | SB: 17 | OPS: .665
Note: Hicklen picked up a season-high four hits on June 17 at St. Paul. He also blasted his third home run of the month on June 26.
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: 5-2 | ERA: 2.57 | G: 15 | GS: 14 | IP: 91.0 | K: 82 | BB: 22 | WHIP: 1.09 | QS: 10
Note: Naile recently celebrated 10 years of professional baseball experience. He ranks tied for third in the KBO in Quality Starts (11), fourth in ERA (2.68), sixth in Innings Pitched (97.1) and 11th in Strikeouts (87).
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