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The Royals have called up right-hander Jon Heasley from Double-A Northwest Arkansas and have placed pitcher Brady Singer on the Injured List. The 24-year old Heasley was originally a 13th-round pick by the Royals in 2018 out of Oklahoma State. He pitched in 22 games for the Naturals witha 3.33 ERA and 120 strikeouts and 34 walks in 105 1⁄3 innings pitched. Heasley will make his MLB debut tonight against the Mariners.
Heasley throws a fastball, curveball, slider, and change up. Earlier this spring, Clint Scoles gave this report on Heasley:
The strikeouts will come as his velocity is up to the 97 mph range at times, and the breaking balls are spintastic. Assistant GM J.J. Picollo told me the command and control improved this last season at the alternate site. If those elements are there, he has the stuff to be a mid-rotation astart with his four pitches or a nasty back of the bullpen piece.
When Jon Heasley is going well, his curveball is absolutely filthy. Here’s his first of 5 K on the evening for NWA. ( :@nwanaturals) pic.twitter.com/Jn0OMyx1aE
— Royals Farm Report (@RoyalsFarm) August 15, 2021
Heasley will be added to the 40-man roster, which was already full. No corresponding 40-man roster move has been announced, and with no injury disclosed for Singer, he is likely out for COVID-19-related reasons.
The Royals have suffered a rash of injuries to pitchers lately with Mike Minor landing on the Injured List last week, and Daniel Lynch exiting yesterday’s game with left calf tightness. Kris Bubic will start on Saturday against the Mariners, with Jackson Kowar scheduled to go on Sunday.