The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Pro Blazer Update: July 20
7/20/2026 12:09:00β―PM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM - The number of former Blazers in professional baseball has reached double digits as Mason Steele became the 10th active professional player, and the fourth in the last two seasons, to come out of UAB. Check out where the others land in this edition of the 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 been on the 60-day IL with a right forearm UCL sprain since May 29.
News: Ashcraft seals the win for the Reds on May 25.
BREWER HICKLEN - ATLANTA BRAVES
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
POS: OF | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 220 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2015-17
2026 Stats:
AVG: .455 | AB: 11 | H: 5 | R: 2 | 2B: 3 | 3B: 0 | HR: 0 | RBI: 2 | BB: 2 | SB: 0 | OPS: 1.265
Note: Hicklen was called up to the big league club on July 12 and has made an immediate impact with the Braves. In three games played, Hicklen has five hits, including three doubles, and has been part of three wins.
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: .345 | AB: 58 | H: 20 | R: 17 | 2B: 1 | 3B: 0 | HR: 2 | RBI: 5 | BB: 4 | SB: 11 | OPS: .847
Note: Tolbert recently completed one of the most remarkable stretches in baseball history as he went 12 straight at-bats with a base hit, tying the major league record. He is also one of three players in the modern era to have consecutive 5-hit games.
News: Read about Tolbert's historic run HERE.
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: 2.06 | G: 36 | SV: 2 | IP: 35.0 | K: 38 | BB: 6 | WHIP: 0.91
Note: Whitlock has been a staple in the back end of the Red Sox bullpen this season carrying a career-best 0.91 WHIP in 36 games. He has allowed one earned run over his last 16 appearances and has not allowed a walk since May 4.
Watch: Click HERE to watch Whitlock secure the win on July 12 against the Mets.
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: 6-5 | ERA: 3.69 | G: 19 | GS: 19 | IP: 109.2 | K: 87 | BB: 23 | WHIP: 1.13 | QS: 11
Note: Naile leads the league in innings pitched (109.2), is tied for the most quality starts (11), and boasts the fourth-best WHIP in the KBO (1.13). He also ranks fifth in strikeouts (87).
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: .239 | AB: 226 | H: 54 | R: 25 | 2B: 7 | 3B: 0 | HR: 3 | RBI: 23 | SB: 13 | OPS: .756
Note: Braunschweig has picked up a hit in each of his last four games, including his 11th multi-hit game of the season on July 12 against Birmingham.
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: 5.20 | G: 13 | GS: 10 | IP: 55.1 | K: 60 | BB: 23 | WHIP: 1.34 | QS: 4
Note: Daniel was placed on the 60-day IL on July 13 and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season with a back injury.
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: .161 | AB: 124 | H: 20 | R: 24 | 2B: 4 | 3B: 0 | HR: 2 | RBI: 14 | SB: 1 | OPS: .573
Note: Hollifield landed on the 7-day IL with a hand injury. In the month of June, Hollifield had a pair of multi-hit games, including a three-hit day against Kannapolis on June 13.
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: 2-1 | ERA: 4.32 | G: 16 | SV: 2 | IP: 25.0 | K: 30 | BB: 20 | WHIP: 1.68
Note: Cheatham finished his month of June with 19 strikeouts across 15 innings. He has recorded three strikeouts in eight of his 16 appearances this season.
MASON STEELEΒ - ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS ORGANIZATION
Hometown: Headland, Ala.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195 | Bats/Throws: L/R | Played at UAB: 2026
Note: Steele awaits his assignment from the organization which will determine where he will start his professional career. He became the 37th draft pick in UAB history on July 12, and the fourth in the last two seasons.
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