The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Pro Blazer Update: September 20
9/20/2024 11:16:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM - Seven former Blazers have made their way to professional baseball. Three former pitchers, Graham Ashcraft, Garrett Whitlock, and James Naile have made it to the professional ranks, but all three are now down with injuries. Brewer Hicklen returned to Minor League Baseball after a week with the big league club. Additionally, Tyler Tolbert is back in Triple-A for the first time since early May. Chandler Simpson continues to dominate Double-A baseball. Riley Davis has been on the injured list for the 2024 season.
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 was officially declared "out for the season" on September 5. However, he has been throwing, and started throwing off a mound on September 17. He is scheduled to throw live batting practice in Arizona in October.
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. He will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
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
2024 Stats (Minors):
AVG: .241 | AB: 402 | H: 97 | R: 73 | 2B: 16 | 3B: 5 | HR: 22 | RBI: 71 | BB: 60 | SB: 43 | OPS: .829
Note: Hicklen returned to Triple-A Omaha after three games with the Milwaukee Brewers. He continues to lead the International League with 43 stolen bases, which also ranks him top 5 across Triple-A baseball. On September 15, Hicklen was named Nashville Sounds co-MVP.
TYLER TOLBERT - OMAHA STORM CHASERS (TRIPLE-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: .244 | AB: 451 | H: 110 | R: 65 | 2B: 23 | 3B: 2 | HR: 4 | RBI: 41 | BB: 45 | SB: 44 | OPS: .656
Note: Tolbert returned to Triple-A Omaha to supplement the Storm Chasers as they push towards an International League championship. He finished his stint with Double-A Northwest Arkansas with a hit in 10 of his last 11 games with the Naturals. Tolbert was named the 2024 Willie Wilson Baserunner of the Year on September 16, given to the best baserunner in the Kansas City Royals organization.
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
2024 Stats (Combined High-A and AA)
AVG: .355 | AB: 451 | H: 160 | R: 90 | 2B: 14 | 3B: 1 | HR: 1 | RBI: 29 | BB: 44 | SB: 104 | OPS: .807
Note: Simpson continues to dominate Double-A baseball as he leads the Southern League in average (.351) and stolen bases (73). He is also fifth in hits (113) and 12th in runs scored (56). On September 18, he was honored at the Tampa Bay Rays game as the Montgomery Biscuits Baserunner of the Year.
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: 12-5 | ERA: 2.53 | G: 26 | GS: 26 | IP: 149.1 | K: 138 | BB: 35 | WHIP: 1.27 | QS: 13
Note: Naile was sidelined on August 24 after breaking his jaw on a comebacker. He was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, but is trying to make a return in time for the Korean Series, the championship series of the KBO. The Korean Series is slated to start in late October.
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