The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Pro Blazer Update: August 10
8/10/2026 3:00:00β―PM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM - 10 former Blazers have reached the professional ranks as the 2026 season marches into the month of August. Find out how each player is progressing in this edition of the Pro Blazer Update.
GRAHAM ASHCRAFT - CINCINNATI REDS
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 248 | Bats/Throws: L/R | Played at UAB: 2019
2026 Stats:
Record: 1-1 | ERA: 3.33 | G: 26 | SV: 1 | IP: 27.0 | K: 32 | BB: 16 | WHIP: 1.22
Note: Ashcraft has been on the 60-day IL with a right forearm UCL sprain since May 29.
News: Ashcraft seals the win for the Reds on May 25.
TYLER TOLBERT - KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Hometown: Trussville, Ala.
POS: Utility | Height: 5-10 | Weight 185 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2017-19
2026 Stats:
AVG: .314 | AB: 86 | H: 27 | R: 23 | 2B: 4 | 3B: 0 | HR: 3 | RBI: 6 | BB: 4 | SB: 15 | OPS: .827
Note: Tolbert had three straight multi-hit games from July 29-August 1. His six total bases on 7/29 were the most he had in a game since July 7, the latter of the two consecutive monumental games for the Royals' utilityman.
News: Read about Tolbert's historic run in July HERE.
GARRETT WHITLOCK - BOSTON RED SOX
Hometown: Snellville, Ga.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 222 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2016-17
2026 Stats:
Record: 6-1 | ERA: 2.05 | G: 45 | SV: 2 | IP: 44.0 | K: 49 | BB: 7 | WHIP: 0.89
Note: Whitlock's incredible season for the Red Sox continues as he has allowed just three earned runs since the beginning of June (25 appearances).
Watch: Click HERE to watch Whitlock secure the series sweep over the Dodgers on August 2.
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
2026 Stats:
Record: 7-5 | ERA: 3.85 | G: 21 | GS: 21 | IP: 121.2 | K: 99 | BB: 25 | WHIP: 1.18 | QS: 12
Note: Naile continues to lead the KBO with 121.2 innings pitched and tied for second in quality starts with 12 in 2026. He also ranks eighth in the league just one strikeout shy of 100 for the season. The milestone would be the third straight season with 100 strikeouts.
BREWER HICKLEN - GWINNETT STRIPERS (TRIPLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE ATLANTA BRAVES)
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
POS: OF | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 220 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2015-17
2026 Stats (Minors):
AVG: .303 | AB: 314 | H: 95 | R: 69 | 2B: 12 | 3B: 2 | HR: 17 | RBI: 59 | BB: 33 | SB: 27 | OPS: .890
Note: Hicklen finished his stint with the big league club on July 27 as he was optioned back to Triple-A Gwinnett when Ronald Acuna Jr. returned to Atlanta off the IL. Since his return to Gwinnett, Hicklen has nine hits in his last nine games including two doubles, two stolen bases, and a home run.
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
2026 Stats (High-A and AA):
AVG: .236 | AB: 254 | H: 60 | R: 27 | 2B: 7 | 3B: 1 | HR: 3 | RBI: 26 | SB: 14 | OPS: .640
Note: Braunschweig has picked up a hit in each of his last five games, including one in each of the three games since returning to Rome.
COLIN DANIEL - ROME EMPERORS (HIGH-A AFFILIATE OF THE ATLANTA BRAVES)
Hometown: Corner, Ala.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Played at UAB: 2023-25
2026 Stats:
Record: 2-6 | ERA: 5.20 | G: 13 | GS: 10 | IP: 55.1 | K: 60 | BB: 23 | WHIP: 1.34 | QS: 4
Note: Daniel was placed on the 60-day IL on July 13 and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season with a back injury.
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
2026 Stats:
AVG: .161 | AB: 124 | H: 20 | R: 24 | 2B: 4 | 3B: 0 | HR: 2 | RBI: 14 | SB: 1 | OPS: .573
Note: Hollifield landed on the 7-day IL with a hand injury. In the month of June, Hollifield had a pair of multi-hit games, including a three-hit day against Kannapolis on June 13.
COLE CHEATHAM - INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (SINGLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE SEATTLE MARINERS)
Hometown: Ardmore, Ala.
POS: LHP | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 205 | Bats/Throws: L/L | Played at UAB: 2025
2026 Stats:
Record: 2-1 | ERA: 4.86 | G: 21 | SV: 2 | IP: 33.1 | K: 36 | BB: 26 | WHIP: 1.65
Note: Cheatham has picked up multiple strikeouts in each of his two outings in the month of August.
MASON STEELE - ACL DIAMONDBACKS (COMPLEX LEAGUE AFFILIATE OF THE ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS)
Hometown: Headland, Ala.
POS: RHP | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195 | Bats/Throws: L/R | Played at UAB: 2026
Note: Steele heads to the Complex League after a busy season with the Green and Gold, tallying over 75 innings and making starts in all 14 weekends. He became the 37th draft pick in UAB history on July 12, and the fourth in the last two seasons.
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