The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Pro Blazer Update: September 6
9/6/2024 2:23:00 PM | 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 made his return to the Major Leagues after spending most of the season in the minors. Additionally, Tyler Tolbert and Chandler Simpson continue their way through the minor league system, while 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 has been out since early July with a right elbow strain. He is scheduled to throw off the mound on September 17, with a live BP session coming 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 - 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: .247 | AB: 376 | H: 93 | R: 71 | 2B: 16 | 3B: 5 | HR: 21 | RBI: 68 | BB: 58 | SB: 42 | OPS: .848
Note: Hicklen got the well deserved call to the big leagues after an impressive season with Triple-A Nashville. He is the first player in Nashville Sounds franchise history to record a 20-40 season.
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: .356 | AB: 430 | H: 153 | R: 85 | 2B: 14 | 3B: 1 | HR: 1 | RBI: 29 | BB: 43 | SB: 99 | OPS: .812
Note: Simpson's incredible season in the minor leagues continues as he has almost reached 100 stolen bases for the 2024 season (99). He is also on a 12-game hitting streak.
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: .244 | AB: 451 | H: 110 | R: 65 | 2B: 23 | 3B: 2 | HR: 4 | RBI: 41 | BB: 45 | SB: 44 | OPS: .656
Note: Tolbert rides into September on an 8-game hitting streak. On August 30, Tolbert was 3-3 with 3 doubles and 3 RBI. In Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Tolbert has 39 stolen bases which ranks him 2nd in the Texas League.
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 continues to dominate the KBO. He has allowed 0 ER in four of his last five starts and has thrown 16 straight scoreless innings. However, Naile went down with a jaw injury in the 6th inning of the game on August 24. He is out indefinitely after having surgery on his broken jaw.
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