Royals cut ties with heartbreaking $6.67 million former 1st-round pick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Kansas City Royals finally called an official end to an era on Monday.It was one of those eras that never actually got off the ground. Instead, it's a bit heartbreaking to consider.The Royals drafted Asa Lacy with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.

He was a star from Texas A&M, a left-handed pitcher meant to become a front-line starter.He signed for a franchise-record $6.67 million signing bonus. This was the player the Royals were putting all their faith in.Lacy never made it to the majors. He never got close.In six professional seasons, he totaled 80 innings.On Monday, the Royals released Lacy.MORE: Austin Hedges ended a great Guardians day with a proposalHe's now 26, and his professional baseball career seems likely to be over.He had a 7.09 ERA in those 80 innings of professional baseball.He dealt with lat and shoulder problems in 2021, a couple seasons of back injuries, and needed two Tommy John surgeries.Lacy hasn't pitched in a pro baseball game since August 2022.It's one of the most painful stories of an arm that never really got a chance due to endless ailments.

There are lots of pitcher injuries in modern baseball. Lacy seemed to find a way to have them all himself.The Royals could've never known it would be like this. For everyone involved, it's just a massive bummer.More MLB news:Explaining the absurdity of 2 MLB players named Max MuncyThis hitter has a worse OBP than his batting averageRed Sox green uniforms have absurd walk-off magicThis slider is really good and moves the entirely wrong directionThis second-generation relief pitcher is on an absurd wins pace