The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Pro Blazer Update: August 23
8/23/2024 11:13:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM - Seven former Blazers have made their way to professional baseball. Two former players, Graham Ashcraft and Garrett Whitlock are currently pitching in Major League Baseball, while four former players, Brewer Hicklen, Chandler Simpson, Tyler Tolbert, and Riley Davis are in the minor league system. Additionally, James Naile is one of the top pitchers in the Korean Baseball Organization.
GRAHAM ASHCRAFT - CINCINNATI REDS
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 248 | Bats/Throws: L/R | Played at UAB: 2019
Record: 5-5 | ERA: 5.24 | G: 15 | GS: 15 | IP: 77.1 | K: 57 | BB: 27 | WHIP: 1.50
Note: Ashcraft has been out since early July with a right elbow strain. He is slated to start a throwing program in the coming days barring any setbacks.
GARRETT WHITLOCK - BOSTON RED SOX
Hometown: Snellville, Ga.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 222 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2016-17
Record: 1-0 | ERA: 1.96 | G: 4 | GS: 4 | IP: 18.1 | K: 17 | BB: 7 | WHIP: 1.15
Note: Whitlock had a hot start to 2024 before ending up on the 15-Day Injured List on April 17 for his strained left oblique. After two rehab assignments with Triple-A Worcester, Whitlock was then transferred to the 60-Day Injured List on June 2.
BREWER HICKLEN - NASHVILLE SOUNDS (TRIPLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS)
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
POS: OF | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 220 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2015-17
AVG: .252 | AB: 357 | H: 90 | R: 65 | 2B: 16 | 3B: 5 | HR: 19 | RBI: 62 | BB: 55 | SB: 39 | OPS: .852
Note: Hicklen's 39 stolen bases keeps him at the top of the International League. Also, his 19 home runs are tied for 10th.
CHANDLER SIMPSON - MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (DOUBLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE TAMPA BAY RAYS)
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
POS: OF | Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170 | Bats/Throws: L/R | Played at UAB: 2020-21
AVG: .356 | AB: 390 | H: 139 | R: 76 | 2B: 14 | 3B: 1 | HR: 1 | RBI: 28 | BB: 37 | SB: 86 | OPS: .814
Note: Simpson continues to create chaos on the base paths, adding 16 stolen bases to his Minor League-leading total in the month of August. He also has recorded a hit in 13 of the team's 16 games this month.
TYLER TOLBERT - NORTHWEST ARKANSAS NATURALS (DOUBLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS)
Hometown: Trussville, Ala.
POS: Utility | Height: 5-10 | Weight 160 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2017-19
2024 Stats (Combined AA and AAA):
AVG: .241 | AB: 406 | H: 98 | R: 58 | 2B: 19 | 3B: 2 | HR: 4 | RBI: 32 | BB: 40 | SB: 41 | OPS: .651
Note: In the month of August (18 games), Tolbert has 19 hits, including five multi-hit games.
RILEY DAVIS - MODESTO NUTS (SINGLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE SEATTLE MARINERS)
Hometown: Helena, Ala.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 200 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2018-21
Stats: N/A
Notes: Davis was placed on the full-season injured list on March 20, 2024, and will miss the entirety of the 2024 season.
JAMES NAILE - KIA TIGERS (KOREA BASEBALL ORGANIZATION)
Hometown: Charleston, MO
POS: RHP | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 185 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2013-15
Record: 11-5 | ERA: 2.62 | G: 25 | GS: 25 | IP: 144.1 | K: 137 | BB: 32 | WHIP: 1.26 | QS: 13
Note: After five scoreless innings on August 18, Naile ran his scoreless innings streak up to 11, and has only allowed two earned runs in his last four starts. His 11 wins and 2.62 are both second best in the KBO.
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