Chicago Cubs: 10 pitchers to target as MLB trade deadline looms

Chicago Cubs: 10 pitchers to target at the trade deadline: #8 – Asa Lacy

Love me some Asa Lacy. Another southpaw. Though this time we land on a prospect whose big league debut may happen in 2022, more likely 2023 if he pitches at the rate he is right now.

Lacy was absolutely dominant and considered by many the best arm in the entire 2020 draft. Ultimately, he was drafted fourth overall by the Royals in the first round. In college ball at Texas A&M, he shined ever so bright. In three years at the collegiate level, he owned an impressive 2.07 career ERA, 13.3 strikeouts per nine and allowed just 35 earned runs in 152 innings of work. Watching him throw, the kid just threw the ball past guys every time he took the mound.

Unfortunately, so far at High-A this hasn’t been the case as he has yet to find some sort of consistent rhythm. He currently sits with a 2-5 record and 5.19 ERA. His strikeout rate is still 13.7 per nine which is eye-opening, though the 30 earned runs allowed in 50 innings pitched is almost that of his entire college career in one third of the innings.

When I watch Lacy pitch, I just see a special player. I would bet the house that he turns the corner at the pro level before long. There’s just too much talent and potential for him to fall off the face of the earth. With a few adjustments I believe he will be well on his way up the ranks of the minor leagues and to the majors in no time. Hopefully, Hoyer can persuade Kansas City to let go of the young pitcher with the right package. Kansas City started off the year hot and has since fallen to a record of 39-55, prompting Royals GM Dayton Moore to be more on the sell side before the deadline.