It does not seem like Doug Nikhazy is quite ready for the majors

With the Cleveland Guardians having to navigate what comes with playing a doubleheader on Saturday against the Boston Red Sox, they made the decision to call up rookie left-hander Doug Nikhazy for what would be his Major League Debut. There was hope that Nikhazy could display the abilities that have resulted in so many people being high on his potential, but that did not turn out to be the case.

Nikhazy struggled throughout his first major league start, allowing six runs on five hits and six walks in just 3 innings of work in Cleveland's 7-3 loss to Boston on Saturday night. Command, control, and any other word that could be used to describe the positive attributes of a pitcher completely eluded Nikhazy, as this was not what anyone was hoping to see from the 25-year-old on Saturday.

90 pitches were required for Nikhazy to get through 3 innings, with 40 of those pitches being called balls. It is incredibly difficult for even the most seasoned and dominant pitchers to have a good outing when nearly 50% of the pitches thrown are balls, much less for someone making their MLB Debut.

As disappointing as his pitching performance was, there was one particular incident that is completely inexcusable. In the top of the 3rd inning, Boston's Jarren Duran took a very healthy lead off of third base (almost 60 feet), with Nikhazy seemingly being unphased by this development. Duran took this opportunity and ran with it (literally), stealing home with Nikhazy's feeble attempt to get the ball to Bo Naylor not coming in time.

In no world should Duran be able to get that far off of base unchecked without a throw over, Nikhazy stepping off, or at least a look to deter him from attempting to steal home. It was clear that Duran was taking advantage of the rookie left-hander's lack of feel, and every other team he faces will follow suit if changes are not made immediately.

In time, Nikhazy might be able to display the traits and overall performance required of a major league starting pitcher but now is not that time. If the constant high pitches from Nikhazy weren't already concerning, allowing Duran to steal home with no real resistance should be more than enough for anyone to see that it is not yet his time. Nikhazy needs more refinement before he can reasonably considered to make any future major league appearances for the Cleveland Guardians.