Doug Nikhazy

Douglas Samuel Nikhazy

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 6", Weight 210 lb.
• School University of Mississippi
• High School West Orange High School (Winter Garden)
• Debut April 26, 2025

• Born August 11, 1999 in Burlington, NC USA

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Biographical Information

Pitcher Doug Nikhazy made his major league debut as the starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians against the Boston Red Sox in the second game of a doubleheader on April 26, 2025. He gave up six runs in three innings and was charged with a 7-3 loss. In the 3rd inning, he was the victim of an exceedingly rare play when Jarren Duran tripled, then pulled off a straight steal of home, taking advantage of the fact he was pitching out of the stretch and had his back turned to him. Duran took a huge lead at third base, and when Doug sensed he was breaking for home he threw a regular pitch to catcher Bo Naylor instead of stepping off and trying to pick off the baserunner; Duran was able to slide in safely just under the catcher's glove.

Nikhazy was a second-round pick in the 2021 amateur draft out of the University of Mississippi when the team was called the "Cleveland Indians". He had gone 12-2, 2.45 in 16 games in his final college season and started his pro career in 2022, reaching AA with the Akron Rubber Ducks by the end of that year. He spent a full season in AA in 2023 and split 2024 between AA and the AAA Columbus Clippers, going a combined 7-4, 2.98. He was 1-0, 3.44 in 4 starts for Columbus in April 2025 when he was called up to Cleveland as the 27th man for the doubleheader in which he made his debut.

Related Sites

• Doug Nikhazy on mlb.com
• University of Mississippi bio