The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Pro Blazer Update: June 16
6/16/2026 2:30:00β―PM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM - Nine former Blazers have reached the professional ranks, including four who played for the Green and Gold in 2025. Check out where all nine sit in the first edition of the 2026 Pro Blazer Update.
GRAHAM ASHCRAFT - CINCINNATI REDS
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 248 | Bats/Throws: L/R | Played at UAB: 2019
2026 Stats:
Record: 1-1 | ERA: 3.33 | G: 26 | SV: 1 | IP: 27.0 | K: 32 | BB: 16 | WHIP: 1.22
Note: Ashcraft has recorded three straight scoreless outings across 3.2 innings pitched and has allowed just one hit in that stretch. Ashcraft has a career-best 1.22 WHIP as the season marches into the middle of June.
Watch: Ashcraft seals the win for the Reds on May 25.
TYLER TOLBERT - KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Hometown: Trussville, Ala.
POS: Utility | Height: 5-10 | Weight 185 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2017-19
2026 Stats:
AVG: .214 | AB: 14 | H: 3 | R: 5 | 2B: 0 | 3B: 0 | HR: 0 | RBI: 0 | BB: 2 | SB: 5 | OPS: .527
Note: On June 2, Tolbert went 1-for-2 with two walks. In the next three games, Tolbert crossed the plate in each of those three contests.
Watch: Tolbert swipes second against the Yankees on May 25.
GARRETT WHITLOCK - BOSTON RED SOX
Hometown: Snellville, Ga.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 222 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2016-17
2026 Stats:
Record: 4-1 | ERA: 2.91 | G: 22 | SV: 0 | IP: 21.2 | K: 27 | BB: 6 | WHIP: 1.06
Note: Since the beginning of May, Whitlock has registered a scoreless outing in nine of his last 11 games. In that same span, Whitlock has totaled a strike percentage of 73.3%.
Watch: Click HERE to watch Whitlock make a tumbling catch against the Phillies on May 13.
BREWER HICKLEN - GWINNETT STRIPERS (TRIPLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE ATLANTA BRAVES)
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
POS: OF | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 220 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2015-17
2026 Stats (Minors):
AVG: .316 | AB: 206 | H: 65 | R: 46 | 2B: 7 | 3B: 1 | HR: 11 | RBI: 35 | BB: 21 | SB: 21 | OPS: .900
Note: Hicklen has been a force since joining the Braves organization last November. This season in AAA ball, Hicklen ranks sixth in MiLB in runs scored (46), seventh in stolen bases (21), and eighth in batting average (.316). Hicklen also carries a career-best .900 OPS into the middle part of June. On June 16, Hicklen joined the 40-man roster for the big league club.
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
2026 Stats:
Record: 3-4 | ERA: 3.43 | G: 14 | GS: 14 | IP: 81.1 | K: 62 | BB: 15 | WHIP: 1.09 | QS: 8
Note: Naile picked up the win on June 13 against Doosan after tossing six innings of one-run ball and striking out six. He has put together a WHIP of 0.86 or less in seven starts this season.
LOGAN BRAUNSCHWEIG - COLUMBUS CLINGSTONES (DOUBLE-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
2026 Stats (High-A and AA):
AVG: .276 | AB: 163 | H: 45 | R: 21 | 2B: 7 | 3B: 0 | HR: 3 | RBI: 20 | SB: 11 | OPS: .756
Note: Braunschweig was promoted to Double-A Columbus on May 27. Prior to his promotion, Braunschweig tallied 15 hits in his last 15 games with High-A Rome. In his short time with Double-A Columbus, Braunschweig started the month of June going 5-for-9 with two RBI and a run scored.
COLIN DANIEL - ROME EMPERORS (HIGH-A AFFILIATE OF THE ATLANTA BRAVES)
Hometown: Corner, Ala.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2023-25
2026 Stats:
Record: 2-6 | ERA: 5.33 | G: 12 | GS: 10 | IP: 52.1 | K: 57 | BB: 20 | WHIP: 1.28 | QS: 4
Note: Daniel made his professional debut with High-A Rome in April of this season. Daniel has put together four quality starts this season, and has picked up at least five strikeouts in five starts in 2026.
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
2026 Stats:
AVG: .157 | AB: 121 | H: 19 | R: 22 | 2B: 4 | 3B: 0 | HR: 2 | RBI: 13 | SB: 1 | OPS: .563
Note: Hollifield has tallied 10 total bases in his first seven games of June. On June 13, Hollifield put together a 3-for-3 game against Kannapolis.
COLE CHEATHAM - INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (SINGLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE SEATTLE MARINERS)
Hometown: Ardmore, Ala.
POS: LHP | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 205 | Bats/Throws: L/L | Played at UAB: 2025
2026 Stats:
Record: 1-0 | ERA: 3.07 | G: 9 | SV: 1 | IP: 14.2 | K: 19 | BB: 9 | WHIP: 1.43
Note: Cheatham signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners on May 6. Through four games in the month of June, Cheatham has three strikeouts in each of those four games and has surrendered just three walks across 8.2 innings pitched.
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