The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Pro Blazer Update: September 22
9/22/2025 3:00:00 PM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM - As professional baseball nears the end of the season, check out the progress of seven former Blazers as they look to finish their seasons on a high note.
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: 8-5 | ERA: 4.19 | G: 58 | GS: 0 | IP: 62.1 | K: 61 | BB: 24 | WHIP: 1.46
Note: Ashcraft has picked up five strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched since returning from the Injured List on September 11. Ashcraft looks to be a staple in the Reds bullpen as they make their push towards the postseason.
News: Ashcraft ready to give Reds a lift down the stretch.
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: .289 | AB: 45 | H: 13 | R: 17 | 2B: 2 | 3B: 0 | HR: 1 | RBI: 6 | BB: 1 | SB: 18 | OPS: .733
Note: Tolbert is 5-for-9 in the month of September with six runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base, including a two-hit game against Seattle on September 17.
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: 7-3 | ERA: 2.31 | G: 60 | GS: 0 | IP: 70.0 | K: 86 | BB: 24 | WHIP: 1.11
Note: Whitlock has thrown 11 straight scoreless outings dating back to August 21 and has thrown 12.1 innings in that span. He has also picked up two wins in six outings in the month of September with a 75% strike percentage and a 0.82 WHIP.
Watch: Click HERE to watch Whitlock escape a jam with a strikeout against Baltimore on August 28.
BREWER HICKLEN - LEHIGH VALLEY IRON PIGS (TRIPLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES)
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
POS: OF | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 220 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2015-17
2025 Stats (Minors):
AVG: .221 | AB: 340 | H: 69 | R: 59 | 2B: 10 | 3B: 2 | HR: 16 | RBI: 56 | BB: 41 | SB: 25 | OPS: .721
Note: Hicklen finished the season with Lehigh Valley on a high note as he recorded a hit in nine of his last 10 games, including four multi-hit games in that span. In the month of September, Hicklen hit .333 (12-for-36) with 10 RBI, four home runs, and three stolen bases.
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: 8-4 | ERA: 2.25 | G: 27 | GS: 27 | IP: 164.1 | K: 152 | BB: 41 | WHIP: 1.07 | QS: 19
Note: Naile pitched five scoreless innings on September 10. He has thrown 20 outings in which he has allowed two runs or less, and 10 scoreless outings out of his 27 starts.
LOGAN BRAUNSCHWEIG - ROME EMPERORS (HIGH-A AFFILIATE OF THE ATLANTA BRAVES)
Hometown: Alabaster, Ala.
POS: OF | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195 | Bats/Throws: L/R | Played at UAB: 2022-25
2025 Stats:
AVG: .294 | AB: 85 | H: 25 | R: 12 | 2B: 3 | 3B: 1 | HR: 0 | RBI: 9 | SB: 4 | OPS: .759
Note: Braunschweig concluded the 2025 season with five hits in his final six games played. He made an immediate impact to the Emperors' lineup as he tallied 25 hits in the 26 games he played.
NICK HOLLIFIELD - FREDERICKSBURG NATIONALS (SINGLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS)
Hometown: Hoschton, Ga.
POS: C | Height: 5-11 | Weight: 190 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2023-25
2025 Stats:
AVG: .242 | AB: 66 | H: 16 | R: 12 | 2B: 1 | 3B: 0 | HR: 0 | RBI: 10 | SB: 0 | OPS: .628
Note: Hollifield concluded a stellar 2025 campaign with both UAB and the Fredericksburg Nationals. Hollifield finished the month of August going 15-for-52 with five multi-hit games. After he slashed .266/.376/.415 with just two errors with the Blazers, Hollifield gathered 16 hits in 18 games with the FredNats.
COLIN DANIEL - FCL BRAVES (COMPLEX LEAGUE AFFILIATE OF THE ATLANTA BRAVES)
Hometown: Corner, Ala.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2023-25
Note: Daniel sat out the remainder of the 2025 season due to workload management.
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