Lakins attended
Franklin High School. Lakins played
college baseball for the
Ohio State Buckeyes, and in 2014, he pitched a
perfect game for the
Chillicothe Paints, a
collegiate summer baseball team.
Boston Red Sox The Red Sox selected Lakins in the sixth round of the
2015 MLB draft, signing him for an above-slot bonus of $320,000. In 2016, Lakins was promoted two levels up to the
High–A Salem Red Sox. In the month of April, he led the Salem pitching staff with a 3–1 record and a 2.13
ERA in four starts, striking out 26 and walking 10 in innings of work. He finished the year rated as the Red Sox' No. 13 prospect, according to MLB.com. Lakins opened the 2019 season with Pawtucket, and on April 23, he was added to Boston's major league active roster for the first time. He made his MLB debut that day, pitching innings against the
Detroit Tigers while allowing one run and striking out two. Lakins was optioned to Pawtucket on April 26. He was recalled on May 23 and optioned back on May 29, then recalled on June 12 and optioned back on June 17. Boston next recalled Lakins on August 12, and optioned him back to Pawtucket on August 20. Lakins was recalled to Boston on September 1, when rosters expanded. Overall with the
2019 Red Sox, Lakins appeared in 16 games (three starts), compiling an 0–1 record with 3.86 ERA and 18 strikeouts in innings. Lakins was
designated for assignment by the Red Sox on January 17, 2020.
Baltimore Orioles Lakins was traded on January 21, 2020, to the
Chicago Cubs for future considerations. He was claimed off waivers by the
Baltimore Orioles on January 31. He was informed of the transaction while on a late-honeymoon cruise with his wife. In 22 appearances for the Orioles in 2020, Lakins pitched to a 2.81 ERA and 25 strikeouts over innings. On June 29, 2021, Lakins made his first start of the season, but left in the second inning with an apparent injury. On July 3, he was placed on the 60-day injured list with right elbow pain, although manager
Brandon Hyde described the injury as a “significant elbow injury”. On July 6, Lakins underwent season-ending surgery to fix a recurrent
olecranon stress fracture in his right elbow. In 24 appearances with the 2021 Orioles prior to his injury, Lakins recorded a 1–4 record and 5.79 ERA. On October 14, Lakins was outrighted off of the 40-man roster. On April 15, 2022, Lakins' contract was selected by the Orioles. He made 6 appearances for Baltimore, struggling to a 9.58 ERA with 8 strikeouts in innings pitched. On July 10, Lakins was placed on the 60-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. On August 31, he was activated from the IL and sent outright to the Triple-A
Norfolk Tides. In 5 games (2 starts) with the Tides, he posted an 8.68 ERA with 7 strikeouts in innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on October 6.
Lancaster Barnstormers On April 17, 2023, Lakins signed with the
Lancaster Barnstormers of the
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In three games for the Barnstormers, he recorded a 3.00 ERA with 4 strikeouts in 3 innings of work. With Lancaster, Lakins won the Atlantic League championship. Lakins retired from professional baseball following the 2023 season to pursue a career in business.
Chicago White Sox On June 25, 2024, Lakins came out of retirement and signed a minor league contract with the
Chicago White Sox. In 24 appearances for the rookie-level
Arizona Complex League White Sox and Triple-A
Charlotte Knights, accumulating a 1-2 record and 5.72 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 2 saves across innings pitched. Lakins elected free agency following the season on November 4.
Algodoneros de Union Laguna On January 6, 2025, Lakins signed with the
Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the
Mexican League. In 18 starts 95.1 innings he went 9-3 with a 4.72 ERA and 75 strikeouts while also throwing one complete game shutout. ==Personal life==