Alabama Professional Athletes

JJ Bleday Makes Reds History

Alabama's fingerprints were all over Cincinnati's 11-5 dismantling of the Arizona Diamondbacks this week, and JJ Bleday's name is now etched into franchise lore.

The Reds outfielder hit for the cycle — joining just seven other players in Cincinnati history to accomplish the feat — and became the fourth MLB player to do so in 2026. The performance was the headliner of a lopsided win that was never really in doubt, with Bleday's multi-hit, multi-extra-base day providing the offensive backbone of the blowout.

Adding to the Alabama flavor: fellow Crimson Tide alum Elly De La Cruz turned in a four-hit game of his own, including a home run, falling just a triple short of his own cycle. That distinction belongs to De La Cruz already — he hit for the cycle for the Reds back in 2023, and now his teammate has matched him. Two Alabama alumni, two cycles in franchise history. Tuscaloosa should send Cincinnati a thank-you note.

Jim Jarvis Gets the Call — Down to Triple-A

The week wasn't all fireworks for Alabama's MLB contingent. Braves shortstop Jim Jarvis was optioned to the minors, with Atlanta making room for Mauricio Dubón to step in as the primary shortstop. Jarvis had logged roughly 120 plate appearances at the big-league level this season, but sub-replacement-level production made the decision straightforward for the organization.

The demotion stings, but it's not necessarily a death knell for Jarvis's big-league future — the Braves recalled outfielder Brewer Hicklen in the corresponding move, a transactional shuffle that signals roster flexibility more than a hard verdict on Jarvis's ceiling. Still, earning his way back will require a reset in the minors, and time is not unlimited in a crowded Atlanta infield picture.

Around the Horn

Elsewhere in the brief, Giants right-hander Dylan Smith had a tough stretch against Cincinnati, allowing two earned runs across a pair of appearances totaling just 1.1 innings — though his ERA of 3.45 suggests the season as a whole has been more stable than those outings indicate.

Connor Prielipp made a start for the Twins on August 27, going 5.1 innings with five strikeouts and three earned runs (ERA: 5.55) in a 4-7 loss to the Athletics. It was a mixed bag — durability is there, but the ERA tells a story of a pitcher still working to find consistency at the major-league level.

Andrew Pinckney is hitting .235 for the Nationals, a number that reflects the difficult adjustment curve for young outfielders breaking into the bigs.

The week's ledger for Alabama alumni in MLB: one moment for the highlight reel, one roster casualty, and a handful of contributors grinding through the dog days of August.

Dylan Smith Makes His Case in San Francisco

Alabama pitcher Dylan Smith is doing everything right in his early MLB chapter — and the Giants are taking notice.

Smith's breakout moment came Wednesday, Aug. 19, when he delivered a two-inning outing against the Guardians, striking out five batters with a 2.73 ERA. He got a second look three days later, taking the mound Saturday against the Red Sox for another relief appearance: 1.0 inning, 2 strikeouts, and an ERA that barely ticked up to 2.96. The Crimson Tide product isn't just holding his own — he's pitching with the composure of a veteran.

The context matters too. Per Yahoo Sports, Smith's Saturday appearance came in a tight 1-0 Giants win, where he closed out a two-inning save in a game already defined by a strong MLB debut from starter Matt Wilkinson. Smith didn't just contribute — he helped seal it.

Jim Jarvis and the Braves' Shortstop Question

Across the league in Atlanta, fellow Alabama alum Jim Jarvis is dealing with a murkier situation.

Jarvis entered the week hitting .223 after a hit in Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks (Aug. 16), but the numbers have softened since. By Saturday's game against the Brewers, his average had slipped to .207 — a quiet stretch that has opened the door for competition. On Wednesday against the Twins, he drew two walks but didn't register a hit, leaving his average at .213.

The timing is uncomfortable. With the Braves positioning themselves for a playoff run, Yahoo Sports reported that Atlanta shifted Mauricio Dubon into the starting shortstop role, a sign the organization may be rethinking Jarvis's place in the lineup down the stretch. The same report framed the move as a pragmatic one given the postseason stakes — and that's a hard narrative for a young player to fight through with a .207 average.

Jarvis isn't out of the picture, but he's at a crossroads. Playoff rosters don't carry passengers, and Atlanta's front office will be watching closely over the final weeks of the regular season.

The Bigger Alabama Picture

It's a tale of two Tide alumni at opposite ends of momentum. Smith is pitching himself onto a Giants roster with newfound energy, putting up legitimate strikeout numbers in high-leverage situations. Jarvis, meanwhile, is navigating the hard truth that a contender in October mode has little patience for batting average slumps at a premium position.

Both storylines carry weight — one is a debut arc gaining altitude, the other a roster battle that could define a career moment. For Alabama fans tracking their own in the majors, this is a week worth watching closely.

Two Alabama alumni made themselves impossible to ignore during the week of Aug. 2–8, with Andrew Pinckney delivering at the plate for Washington and Dylan Smith positioning himself as San Francisco's next closer.

Pinckney Announces Himself in D.C.

Andrew Pinckney has been one of the more quietly productive stories in the Nationals' outfield this summer, and he punctuated the week with authority. On Thursday, Aug. 6, the left fielder went 1-for-1 against the Phillies with a home run, an RBI, and a run scored — pushing his batting average to a sterling .500 in that contest. It was a standout moment for a player still carving out his big-league footing, and one Washington will hope signals something more than a flash.

Smith's Rise Catches Fantasy World's Attention

Meanwhile, up in San Francisco, Dylan Smith is generating genuine buzz. Yahoo Sports flagged the Giants right-hander as a waiver wire target this week, noting that San Francisco may have a new closer to target in fantasy baseball circles. The numbers back up the hype: Smith posted a 2.75 ERA entering the week and has been used in high-leverage situations consistently. He appeared three times between Aug. 2 and Aug. 8, logging 2.2 total innings across outings against San Diego, Texas, and Detroit. His Aug. 8 appearance — one clean inning in a 5-2 Giants win over the Tigers — lowered his ERA to 2.95. The blip came on Aug. 5 against the Rangers, when he allowed one earned run in two-thirds of an inning, but the Giants have not wavered in his role. For fantasy managers scouting save opportunities, Smith is the name to know.

The Crimson Tide's Wider Footprint

Beyond the two headliners, Alabama's MLB presence remained visible across the week. Shortstop Jim Jarvis continued to see regular action for Atlanta, going 1-for-his-game with an RBI on Aug. 8 against the Yankees while working to stabilize a batting average that sat at .242. Chase Lee made back-to-back appearances out of the Toronto bullpen on Aug. 5 and Aug. 6, striking out one batter and logging a pair of clean-ish innings as his ERA settled at 5.06.

And then there's Elly De La Cruz — one of the most prominent Alabama alums in baseball right now — who didn't need a big week to generate headlines. The Reds shortstop homered in the first inning of Cincinnati's 6-5 win over the Athletics earlier in the period, adding to a season that has made him one of the most sought-after trade targets at the deadline. Boston reportedly pursued De La Cruz hard before Cincinnati shut down talks, choosing to keep their franchise cornerstone rather than entertain any offers, however compelling.

For a program better known for its football roster, Alabama's MLB alumni class is putting together a quietly remarkable 2026. Pinckney's bat, Smith's arm, and De La Cruz's stardom give Crimson Tide fans plenty of reasons to keep the baseball app open this August.