Doug Nikhazy

In a draft class where many players simply lack history or extensive track record, Nikhazy is a polished pitcher with plenty of it. He was a freshman All-American in 2019 after he set the Mississippi freshman record with 86 strikeouts in 89.2 innings, and he also pitched with the Collegiate National Team in 2019. Over three years in the SEC he’s never posted an ERA higher than 3.31 and he’s always walked between 3.0 and 3.5 batters per nine. However, he is a smaller lefthander with a 6-foot, 205-pound frame and a fastball that has peaked in the 94-95 mph range this spring, averaging just 88-90 mph. That velocity will turn some scouts off considering the big league pitching environment—even with a lower velocity bar for southpaws—but Nikhazy does pitch well up in the zone thanks to a very high, over-the-top slot from a smaller frame that creates deception and riding life on his fastball. He pairs that heater nicely with a mid-70s, top-to-bottom curveball that he shows great feel to land, but his better breaking ball could be a low-to-mid-80s slider that has later biting action and has gotten some plus grades this spring. Nikhazy has also flashed a slow changeup to his glove side that could be a real weapon, but he uses it only sparingly. There’s limited upside with Nikhazy, but he has been a consistent performer in the best conference in the country for years and has a solid north-south attacking approach that teams might covet in the second or third round.