Asa Lacy

Asa Lacy
Kansas City Royals
Pitcher
Born: (1999-06-02) June 2, 1999 (age 25) Bryan, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Left Throws: Left

Asa Edward Lacy (born June 2, 1999) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Kansas City Royals organization. Lacy was selected fourth overall by the Royals in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.[1][2]

Amateur career

Lacy attended Tivy High School in Kerrville, Texas.[3][4] As a senior, he went 13–1 with 0.93 earned run average (ERA) and 128 strikeouts over 97 innings. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 31st round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[5] He did not sign with the Indians and played college baseball at the Texas A&M University.

Lacy was mostly a relief pitcher his first year at Texas A&M in 2018. He appeared in 23 games with two starts, going 3–1 with a 2.75 ERA and 48 strikeouts.[6] As a sophomore in 2019, he started 15 games going 8–4 with a 2.13 ERA and 130 strikeouts.[7] After the season, he played for the United States collegiate national team.[8] He made four starts in 2020 before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professional career

Lacy was selected by the Kansas City Royals with the fourth overall pick.[9][10] He signed with the Royals on June 23 for a bonus of $6.67 million.[11]

Lacy made his professional debut in 2021 with the Quad Cities River Bandits of the High-A Central.[12] Over 14 starts, he went 2-5 with a 5.19 ERA, 79 strikeouts, and 41 walks over 52 innings.[13][14] He missed over two months due to a shoulder injury.[15] He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Surprise Saguaros after the season.[16][17]

Lacy opened the 2022 season with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Double-A Texas League.[18] In 15 combined appearances split between the Naturals and the rookie–level Arizona Complex League Royals, he accumulated a 10.61 ERA with 35 strikeouts across 28 innings pitched.[19]

Lacy did not pitch for the Royals organization in 2023 due to ongoing back issues.[20] On March 19, 2024, Lacy underwent Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss the entirety of the 2024 season.[21]

References

1. "2020 Prospect Watch: 100 Draft". MLB.com. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
2. "2020 Draft Tracker". MLB.com. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
3. Zuvanich, Adam (April 21, 2017). "Future looks bright for Kerr County's baseball buddies". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
4. Ronan, Ryan (July 13, 2016). "Lacy and Walters drawing major league attention". Kerrville Daily Times. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
5. Zepeda, Daniel (June 14, 2017). "Tivy's Lacy selected by Cleveland Indians in MLB Draft". Kerrville Daily Times. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
6. Brown, Travis L. (April 12, 2019). "Texas A&M starter Asa Lacy reaping rewards from summer work". The Eagle. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
7. Zwerneman, Brent (May 20, 2019). "Aggies turn to Asa Lacy in SEC tourney opener". HoustonChronicle.com. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
8. Boxleitner, Barbara (September 30, 2019). "Tivy alum Asa Lacy shining at Texas A&M". Kerrville Daily Times. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
9. Worthy, Lynn (June 11, 2020). "Royals take lefty pitcher Asa Lacy with No. 4 overall draft pick, Baylor's Loftin 32nd". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
10. Flanagan, Jeffrey (June 11, 2020). "Royals 'thrilled' to draft left-hander Lacy at No. 4". MLB.com. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
11. "Asa Lacy signs with Royals". KBTX. Associated Press. June 23, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
12. "Royals' Asa Lacy: Beginning pro career at High-A". CBS Sports. RotoWire. April 29, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
13. Rogers, Anne (October 18, 2021). "Check in on the Royals' Minor League stars". MLB.com. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
14. Lewis, Alec (August 20, 2021). "Updates on Asa Lacy, Alec Marsh; prospect promotions; and a story about puking: Q&A with Royals assistant GM J.J. Picollo". The Athletic. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
15. Rogers, Anne (February 18, 2022). "'Best I've ever felt': Pitching prospect Lacy ready to impress". MLB.com. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
16. Sanchez, Jesse (October 13, 2021). "Royals' Lacy deals in Fall League debut". MLB.com. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
17. Lewis, Alec (October 13, 2021). "Royals prospect Asa Lacy impresses in Arizona Fall League debut: 'Pretty freaking good'". The Athletic. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
18. McCandless, C.C. (April 4, 2022). "First-round pick Asa Lacy headlines Naturals roster". KNWA. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
19. "Asa Lacy - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
20. Graves, Matt (March 20, 2024). "Royals' 2020 Draft Pick Undergoes Surgery, Will Not Pitch In 2024". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
21. Rogers, Anne (March 21, 2024). "Royals' 2020 top Draft pick Lacy has Tommy John surgery". MLB.com. Retrieved January 4, 2025.

External links

• Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
• Texas A&M Aggies bio