The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Pro Blazer Update: July 28
7/28/2025 2:50:00 PM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM - As the calendar approaches the month of August, five former Blazers continue to push through the summer. Check out their progress as they close in towards the final two months of the season.
GRAHAM ASHCRAFT - CINCINNATI REDS
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 248 | Bats/Throws: L/R | Played at UAB: 2019
2025 Stats:
Record: 6-4 | ERA: 3.68 | G: 39 | GS: 0 | IP: 44.0 | K: 45 | BB: 20 | WHIP: 1.45
Note: Ashcraft picked up the win against Tampa Bay on July 26. In the month of July, he has a 1.86 ERA and has thrown eight scoreless appearances.
TYLER TOLBERT - KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Hometown: Trussville, Ala.
POS: Utility | Height: 5-11 | Weight 185 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2017-19
2025 Stats:
AVG: .190 | AB: 21 | H: 4 | R: 5 | 2B: 0 | 3B: 0 | HR: 1 | RBI: 2 | BB: 0 | SB: 11 | OPS: .560
Note: Tolbert hit his first career home run and first career runs batted in on July 23 in Chicago at Wrigley Field. He is 3-for-12 in the month of July.
Click HERE to watch Tolbert's first career home run.
GARRETT WHITLOCK - BOSTON RED SOX
Hometown: Snellville, Ga.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 222 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2016-17
2025 Stats:
Record: 5-1 | ERA: 3.10 | G: 39 | GS: 0 | IP: 49.1 | K: 63 | BB: 19 | WHIP: 1.09
Note: Whitlock has recorded a 72.7% strike rate in the month of July in the Red Sox bullpen. He has also picked up at least one strikeout in 12 consecutive appearances and has a 0.92 WHIP this month.
Click HERE to watch Whitlock strike out the side on July 21 against Philadelphia.
BREWER HICKLEN - LEHIGH VALLEY IRON PIGS (TRIPLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES)
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
POS: OF | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 220 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2015-17
2025 Stats (Minors):
AVG: .222 | AB: 221 | H: 49 | R: 37 | 2B: 8 | 3B: 2 | HR: 8 | RBI: 31 | BB: 24 | SB: 18 | OPS: .716
Note: Hicklen was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on July 26 and was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. His first game with the Iron Pigs will be slated for Tuesday. He has three multi-hit games in July with a .968 OPS.
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
2025 Stats:
Record: 5-2 | ERA: 2.50 | G: 20 | GS: 19 | IP: 122.1 | K: 114 | BB: 28 | WHIP: 1.04 | QS: 15
Note: Naile continues to establish himself as one of the KBO's best arms. He is tied for second in Quality Starts (15), third in ERA (2.50), third in Innings Pitched (122.1), and fifth in Strikeouts (114). He is coming off an eight strikeout, zero walk performance in six innings on July 27 at Lotte.
DRAFT PICKS
Logan Braunschweig, Colin Daniel, and Nick Hollifield have all signed with their respective teams. Additionally, TJ Ford and Jonathan Stevens have also signed deals.
FOLLOW THE BLAZERS
For more information on the UAB baseball team, follow @UAB_Baseball on Instagram and X.
Your Support Fuels Success!
With your help, Blazer Student-Athletes are given the resources, tools, and opportunities they need to achieve greatness. Every contribution you make directly supports our teams, ensuring they excel not only on the field but in the classroom as well. We invite you to renew your support to UAB Athletics today and for more information on ways to show your generosity through the Blazer Scholarship Fund, capital initiatives, and sport specific giving go to blazerboosters.com or call us at (205) 996-9969.
