Royals Get Disastrous Injury News on Former First-Round Pick

The Royals were dealt a devastating injury blow on Tuesday night when it was announced that 2020 first-round pick Asa Lacy would miss the entire 2024 season following Tommy John surgery.

It's the latest bad news in a poor stretch of injury luck for Lacy, who entered the organization as one of the most highly-regarded prospects in the 2020 class. Kansas City took him at No. 4 overall with the expectation that he'd turn into a frontline starter one day, though Lacy's consistent injury woes have derailed the once-promising career.

He'll turn 25 this summer, so there's time to turn things around. Noneless, it's a disappointing bit of news for both Lacy and the Royals.

Royals Injury News: Asa Lacy to Miss 2024 Season

Lacy accumulated 79 strikeouts in 52 innings in High-A ball in his first year, then struggled with command largely due to back injuries.

It appears that he's got a great head on his shoulders, as his statement reads determined and focused to rediscover his promise. I'm rooting for Lacy, and hopefully he'll make a full recovery to join the organization next year.

That being said, it's difficult for Kansas City to commit to him long-term. He was left unprotected in the Rule 5 draft last summer and it's possible another team will poach him in this year's version. It feels unlikely, but the Royals can't afford to be overly patient as they're building to contend in the near future.

This doesn't end Lacy's career by any means and I'm excited to see how he attacks rehab. Having not pitched since 2022 though, this is certainly a negative update.

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