Doug Nikhazy

Doug Nikhazy
Cleveland Guardians
Pitcher
Born: (1999-08-11) August 11, 1999 (age 25)
Burlington, North Carolina, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
15U Baseball World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2014 Mazatlán Team

Douglas Samuel Nikhazy (born August 11, 1999) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Ole Miss Rebels.

Amateur career

Nikhazy grew up in Windermere, Florida. In eighth grade he was selected to the Under-15 United States national baseball team.[1] Nikhazy attended West Orange High School, where he pitched and played right field on the baseball team.[2] He committed to play college baseball at Ole Miss during his freshman year.[3]

Nikhazy was named a freshman All-American after posting a 9-3 record and a 3.31 ERA with Ole Miss freshman record 86 strikeouts.[4] After the season he was selected to play on the Team USA collegiate national baseball team.[5] 3-1 record and 2.35 ERA with 31 strikeouts in four starts before the season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.[6] He was named first team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) and was a consensus first team All-American as a junior after going 12-2 with a 2.45 ERA and 142 strikeouts over 92 innings pitched.[7][8]

Professional career

Nikhazy was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the second round with the 58th overall pick of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft.[9] On July 23, 2021, Nikhazy signed with the Indians for a $1.2 million bonus.[10] He made his professional debut in 2022 with the Lake County Captains of the High-A Midwest League.[11]

Nikhazy split the 2024 campaign between the Double–A Akron RubberDucks and Triple–A Columbus Clippers, posting a cumulative 7–4 record and 2.98 ERA with 124 strikeouts across 123+2⁄3 innings pitched. On November 19, 2024, the Guardians added Nikhazy to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[12]

Personal life

In February 2020, Nikhazy was arrested in Oxford, Mississippi for driving under the influence.[13] He was released the same night of the arrest, issued an apology, and returned to the baseball team without missing any playing time.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Ocoee's Doug Nikhazy makes USA Baseball 15U National team". West Orange Times & Observer. July 30, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  2. ^ "Doug Nikhazy throws second straight no-hitter as West Orange beats Lake Brantley". Orlando Sentinel. April 7, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  3. ^ Parham, Chase (October 22, 2018). "Doug Nikhazy brings impressive resume and talent to Rebel mound competition". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  4. ^ "Ginn, Nikhazy honored by Baseball America". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. June 28, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  5. ^ "Ole Miss baseball: How Doug Nikhazy, Rebels teammates are performing in summer ball". The Clarion-Ledger. July 9, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  6. ^ "Ole Miss baseball boasts one of the SEC's best pitching staffs. Here's a breakdown of why". The Clarion-Ledger. February 1, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  7. ^ Suss, Nick (May 25, 2021). "Doug Nikhazy: 3 things to know about Ole Miss baseball's All-SEC starting pitcher". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  8. ^ "Is Doug Nikhazy the best to ever do it at Ole Miss? Why he belongs in the discussion". The Clarion-Ledger. June 13, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  9. ^ "Cleveland chooses charismatic Doug Nikhazy in MLB Draft". Orlando Sentinel. July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  10. ^ Noga, Joe (July 23, 2021). "Top draft picks Gavin Williams, Doug Nikhazy sign deals and 4 other things about the Cleveland Indians". Cleveland.com. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  11. ^ "Captains' 2022 season-opening roster announced". 5 April 2022.
  12. ^ Franco, Anthony (November 19, 2024). "Guardians Designate Three Players For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors.
  13. ^ "Ole Miss baseball: Doug Nikhazy arrested on DUI charge". The Clarion-Ledger. February 3, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  14. ^ "Nikhazy issues apology for DUI arrest". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. February 6, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2021.