The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Pro Blazer Update: July 15
7/15/2025 11:30:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM - MLB and MiLB have reached the All-Star break which means it is past the midway point of the 2025 season. Check out how five former Blazers are doing in professional baseball.
The 2025 Blazers' draft class consisting of Logan Braunschweig, Colin Daniel, and Nick Hollifield have until July 28 to sign their respective contracts. Assignments will be announced at a later date.
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: 3.63 | G: 34 | GS: 0 | IP: 39.2 | K: 41 | BB: 17 | WHIP: 1.44
Note: Since returning from the injured list on July 4, Ashcraft has thrown 5.1 innings and allowed just three hits. In the month of July, he has an opponents' batting average of .111 and a WHIP of 0.94.
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: .154 | AB: 13 | H: 2 | R: 4 | 2B: 0 | 3B: 0 | HR: 0 | RBI: 0 | BB: 0 | SB: 9 | OPS: .368
Note: Tolbert picked up his second career hit and fourth stolen base on Sunday en route to a 3-2 walk-off victory in a game in which he scored the game-winning run.
Click HERE to watch Tolbert's post game interview on Sunday.
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: 3.38 | G: 35 | GS: 0 | IP: 45.1 | K: 57 | BB: 19 | WHIP: 1.19
Note: Whitlock has recorded a 72.7% strike rate in the month of July in the Red Sox bullpen. He has also picked up at least one strikeout in 12 consecutive appearances and has a 0.92 WHIP this month.
Click HERE to watch Whitlock close out the game on July 4 against the Nationals.
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: .225 | AB: 218 | H: 49 | R: 37 | 2B: 8 | 3B: 2 | HR: 8 | RBI: 31 | BB: 24 | SB: 18 | OPS: .714
Note: In the month of July, Hicklen has recorded 21 total bases, 10 hits, eight RBI, five runs scored, three home runs, and a stolen base. In the last nine games, he is slashing .303/.351/.636.
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: 2.39 | G: 18 | GS: 17 | IP: 109.1 | K: 99 | BB: 26 | WHIP: 1.02 | QS: 13
Note: Naile's stellar season in the KBO continues as his WHIP has been lowered to 1.02. He has thrown 12 consecutive scoreless innings in his last two starts. He carries the third-best WHIP and third-best ERA (2.39) in the KBO and is also eighth in strikeouts (99). Additionally, Naile's 2.39 ERA ranks second in the KBO among foreign-born players.
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