The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Pro Blazer Update: August 11
8/11/2025 10:30:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM - This edition of the Pro Blazer Update features three new players added to the Pro Blazer list. In total, the Blazers have eight players playing professionally. In 47 seasons of UAB Baseball, the Green and Gold have seen 36 draft picks and 26 free agents sign to play MLB affiliated baseball.
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: 4.09 | G: 45 | GS: 0 | IP: 50.2 | K: 49 | BB: 22 | WHIP: 1.50
Note: Through four innings of work in the month of August, Ashcraft has a 70% strike rate and just one earned run.
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: .240 | AB: 25 | H: 6 | R: 7 | 2B: 0 | 3B: 0 | HR: 1 | RBI: 4 | BB: 0 | SB: 15 | OPS: .629
Note: Through four games in August, Tolbert has four stolen bases. Despite only having played 35 games for the Royals, Tolbert already ranks third on the team in stolen bases (15).
Click HERE to watch Tolbert steal two bases in the Royals' win against the Red Sox on 8/6.
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: 5-2 | ERA: 2.87 | G: 45 | GS: 0 | IP: 53.1 | K: 67 | BB: 21 | WHIP: 1.14
Note: Whitlock has not allowed an earned run in his last 14 appearances which lowered his ERA to 2.87 which ranks third on the team (min. 45 innings pitched).
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: .220 | AB: 259 | H: 57 | R: 42 | 2B: 8 | 3B: 2 | HR: 9 | RBI: 37 | BB: 24 | SB: 21 | OPS: .696
Note: Hicklen homered and drove in three runs in the August 11 game vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He has driven in six runs and picked up two multi-hit games in 10 games with Lehigh Valley.
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: 6-2 | ERA: 2.38 | G: 21 | GS: 21 | IP: 128.1 | K: 122 | BB: 30 | WHIP: 1.02 | QS: 16
Note: Naile tossed six shutout innings on August 5 against Lotte. He has allowed five earned runs over his last five starts (31.0 innings).
LOGAN BRAUNSCHWEIG - ROME EMPERORS (HIGH-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
2025 Stats:
AVG: .316 | AB: 19 | H: 6 | R: 3 | 2B: 0 | 3B: 1 | HR: 0 | RBI: 0 | SB: 0 | OPS: .830
Note: Braunschweig has picked up a hit in four of his first six games in his professional career including two multi-hit games. He also has three walks and three runs scored in that same span.
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
2025 Stats:
AVG: .273 | AB: 11 | H: 3 | R: 4 | 2B: 1 | 3B: 0 | HR: 0 | RBI: 2 | SB: 0 | OPS: .793
Note: Hollifield earned his first career start on Thursday at Myrtle Beach and has made an immediate impact to the Nationals' lineup. He doubled and scored a run on Saturday against the Pelicans.
COLIN DANIEL - FCL BRAVES (COMPLEX LEAGUE AFFILIATE OF THE ATLANTA BRAVES)
Hometown: Corner, Ala.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2023-25
Note: Daniel will sit out the remainder of the 2025 season due to workload management.
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