Doug
Nikhazy

2021 MLB Draft: Nikhazy has a stellar resume, pitching for the USA Collegiate National Team in 2019 and amassing a 24-6 record with a 2.81 ERA in three years at Oxford. He is relentless on the mound and his stuff plays up thanks to his supreme competiveness. He pounds the zone with a fastball that sits 87-91, bumping 92-93 at times, with life. He also has outstanding feel for an 81-85 slider with bite and big, downer curveball at 72-74. His changeup is a quality pitch with tumble and deception at 77-79. He can throw all four for strikes in any count and miss bats with each.

After touching 91 early in his start against TCU, the confident lefty lived on 88 mph with his fastball. He created good angle to the plate from a high three-quarter release point and a well across his body landing. Nikhazy’s finish to the plate was very good, enabling him to pepper his glove side for a freeze pitch in to right-handed batters. Nikhazy lasted just 1.2 IP as he never found his bread-n-butter breaker. Instead his low-70s curveball looped to the plate at 73-74 mph and was ineffective. With a stellar resume, including a 2019 stint with the USA Collegiate National Team and career 12-4 record with a 3.31 ERA in his three years in Oxford, Nikhazy is likely to rebound quickly and remain in Day Two consideration on draft boards.

Broad-shouldered, 5-foot-10, 200 pound lefty who powers the ball to the plate from an over-the-top slot. Fastball was mostly straight at 89-91 mph with below average command. Flashed a cutter at 87 mph while his 72-74 mph curveball was his best pitch with 12/6 to 1/7 rotation. Showed a longer break with an early hump as he was getting under the pitch, especially during his first inning of work, but overall used it to keep hitters off balance and miss barrels. Struggled holding runners, allowed two stolen bases, and failed to cover first base on a ground ball to the right side. Having just completed his freshman year at Ole Miss as the Game 2 weekend starter (9-3, 3.31 ERA), Nikhazy has the potential to develop into an early Day Two prospect in 2021. (Seifert)

Mississippi recruit. Simple, repeatable delivery. Works with a quality tempo, attacks hitter from a high 3/4 slot. Gets quality extension, works down in the zone with a 86-88 mph fastball. Shows a feel for a 70 mph slider and a 78 mph changeup. Struck out three in two innings of work.

3/17/16 - Mississippi commit. 6-foot, 180 pound outfielder with a loose lean young athletic body. Loose outfield actions with plenty of arm and limited range. Short quick stroke with some bat speed and strength to come. Has loft in swing with balance in finish. Went 0-1 with a sacrifice fly to deep right field for the game winning RBI. Also a very good pitcher.

2/12/16 - Mississippi commit. 5-foot-10, 185 pound OF/LHP with a loose lean projectable body on a medium size frame. Loose outfield actions with plenty of arm and limited range. Short quick stroke with some bat speed and strength to come. Has loft in swing with balance in finish. Went 1-4 with a 2 run home run. Also a very good pitcher.

2/20/15 - Ole Miss commit. 5-foot-10, 175 pound lefty with a young loose lean projectable body. Loose easy working arm with a fluid delivery. High ¾ slot with some tilt. Fastball was 83-84 mph with tail action. Curve ball was at time a tight downer with depth and at other times was a ¾ breaker with good rotation and depth. Solid avg ML pitch right now. Showed very good poise in a big game and in big situations. Very advanced for such a young kid. Stuff will only continue to improve with added size and strength.

7/24/14 - Nikhazy has a lean frame at 5-foot-10, 175 pounds and a compact delivery. In two innings of work, he allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two. He sat 84-86 and showed an ability to spin a curveball at 71 mph.