Doug Nikhazy

Doug Nikhazy
Nikhazy with the Cleveland Guardians in 2025
Chicago Cubs
Pitcher
Born: (1999-08-11) August 11, 1999
Burlington, North Carolina, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
April 26, 2025, for the Cleveland Guardians
MLB statistics
(through April 17, 2026)
Win–loss record0–1
Earned run average10.50
Strikeouts6
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
15U Baseball World Cup
Silver medal – second place2014 MazatlánTeam

Douglas Samuel Nikhazy (born August 11, 1999) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Chicago Cubs organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox. 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

Cleveland Indians / Guardians

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 spent the 2023 campaign with the Double-A Akron RubberDucks. In 26 appearances (22 starts) for the team, he compiled a 4-8 record and 4.94 ERA with 128 strikeouts over 102 innings of work.[12]

Nikhazy split the 2024 campaign between Akron and the 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.[13]

Nikhazy was optioned to Triple-A Columbus to begin the 2025 season.[14] On April 26, 2025, Nikhazy was promoted to the major leagues for the first time as the 27th man for Cleveland's doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox.[15] He made two appearances for the Guardians during his rookie campaign, but struggled to an 0-1 record and 13.50 ERA with five strikeouts over four innings of work.[16]

Nikhazy was again optioned to Triple-A Columbus to begin the 2026 season.[17] On March 30, 2026, Nikhazy was designated for assignment by the Guardians.[18]

Chicago White Sox

On April 6, 2026, Nikhazy was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox.[19] He made one appearance for Chicago, allowing one run over two innings; in three appearances for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, he struggled to an 0-1 record and 8.71 ERA.

Chicago Cubs

On April 28, 2026, Nikhazy was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.[20] He made eight appearances (including six starts) for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, posting an 0-1 record and 8.44 ERA with 30 strikeouts across 26+2⁄3 innings pitched. Nikhazy was designated for assignment by the Cubs on June 15.[21] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Iowa on June 17.[22]

Personal life

In February 2020, Nikhazy was arrested in Oxford, Mississippi for driving under the influence.[23] He was released the same night of the arrest, issued an apology, and returned to the baseball team without missing any playing time.[24]

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". April 5, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Doug Nikhazy emerged as dark horse in Guardians' pitching plans thanks to new delivery". cleveland.com. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  13. ↑ Franco, Anthony (November 19, 2024). "Guardians Designate Three Players For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors.
  14. ↑ "Who's in Opening Day pitching mix? Guards want Nikhazy to build up at Triple-A". mlb.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Guardians Select Kolby Allard". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Doug Nikhazy 2025 pitching Stats Per Game". espn.com. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Guardians' Doug Nikhazy: Optioned to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Guardians Designate Doug Nikhazy". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  19. ↑ "White Sox Claim Doug Nikhazy". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Cubs Claim Doug Nikhazy, Designate Ben Cowles For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Cubs Acquire Yosver Zulueta". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Cubs Outright Doug Nikhazy". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
  23. ↑ Suss, Nick (February 3, 2020). "Ole Miss baseball: Doug Nikhazy arrested on DUI charge". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  24. ↑ Alford, Parrish (February 6, 2020). "Nikhazy issues apology for DUI arrest". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
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