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-AMidwest 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]
Personal life
In February 2020, Nikhazy was arrested in Oxford, Mississippi for driving under the influence.[16] He was released the same night of the arrest, issued an apology, and returned to the baseball team without missing any playing time.[17]
_(cropped).jpg)
