Royals’ 2020 Draft Pick Undergoes Surgery, Will Not Pitch in 2024

Kansas City Royals left-hander Asa Lacy announced on Instagram that he’ll miss the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Lacy will be sidelined into the early portion of the 2025 season. The No. 4 pick in the 2020 MLB Draft was ranked as one of the top pitching prospects following that selection. However, he has been dealt with injuries and inconsistent performances that eventually hurt his stock. Shoulder and back injuries have been a factor with the southpaw at this point in his career. Since being drafted, Lacy has 80 innings with a 7.09 ERA and a 21.3% walk rate.

“I have been dealt a substantial amount of adversity in my career so far. I’m excited to conquer the challenges ahead and come back better and stronger,” Lacy wrote on Instagram. “I am blessed to be surrounded by such a great group from my parents, the Kansas City Royals, to friends and teammates all over. My passion and love for this game has never been strogner. Best of luck to all my teammates in 2024.”

Asa Lacy to Miss 2024 Season

Lacy made his debut in pro ball in 2021, making 14 starts ofr High-A Quad Cities and post a 5.19 ERA. The back problems to Lacy limited him to 28 innings in the Arizona Complex League and Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He remained in Arizona for the start of the 2023 season due to his ongoing back issues. He was once rated as high as the Royals’ No. 2 prosepct by MLB Pipeline, but he couldn’t stay healthy and command issues made things worse. There’s no doubt that when Lacy is healthy, he is a dominant force on the mound. He can fire up to 100 mph on his fastball with elite breaking stuff.

One of Many Pitching Prospects the Royals Banked On

There’s time for Lacy to get back to full strength in hopes of returning to his once-promising self. Lacy is one of many high-profile college arms whom the Royals structured their rebuilding efforts. It hasn’t gone right for Kansas City as Lacy, Brady Singer, Daniel Lynch IV, Kris Bubic, Jackson Kowar and Alec Marsh were among the names who were supposed to fill out a young core of pitching. Singer, for instance, haslloked like a high-end stater at times, but his consistency doesn’t back itself up. As for the others, they have yet to establish themselves in the majors.

Adding Depth in Free Agency

The lack of development and depth motivated the team to spend a combined $77 million on Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha in free agency this winter. Cole Ragans, who the team acquired from the Texas Rangers at last years deadline, will get the ball for the Royals on Opening Day. But Lacy won’t be the only pitcher out with injury as Jake Brentz will miss some time. The 29-year-old left-handed reliever was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring string and will miss six weeks. The injury to Brentz eliminates him from the final few bullpen spots available. One other pitcher who has impressed coaches in spring training is Sam Long. The former Oakland Athletic threw 7 1/3 innings while holding opponens to one run on five hits with 13 strikeouts.