Doug Nikhazy

Doug Nikhazy is a professional baseball pitcher born on August 11, 1999, in Burlington, North Carolina. He attended Ole Miss for his college career, where he honed his pitching skills before being drafted in 2021. Selected by the Cleveland Guardians in the second round with the 22nd pick, Nikhazy began his journey in Major League Baseball as a promising left-handed pitcher. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 210 pounds, Nikhazy throws left-handed, adding to his versatility and effectiveness on the mound. He made his MLB debut for the Guardians on April 26, 2025, and wears jersey number 65. In his pitching role, Nikhazy has exhibited notable skills, particularly in his bullpen performances. During one of his pre-season appearances in 2025, he pitched seven innings with a 0.00 ERA, striking out 10 batters while allowing only one hit and two walks across three games. However, his overall ERA in the 2025 season was 7.27, reflecting some challenges when starting games. Nikhazy's repertoire includes a mix of pitches such as the slider, changeup, four-seam fastball, and curveball, each contributing to his strategic approach to handling batters. His ability to strike out batters at a rate of 12.465 K/9 is a testament to his potential and the skillset he brings to the Guardians' pitching staff.