Eric Lauer Stats & Scouting Report

IP	46
ERA	5.09
WHIP	1.65
BB/9	3.91
SO/9	9.59

Full name Eric Lance Lauer
Born 06/03/1995 in Elyria, OH
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 209 / Bats: R / Throws: L
School Kent State
Debut 04/24/2018
Drafted in the 1st round (25th overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2016 (signed for $2,000,000).

View Draft Report

Everything has gone well for Lauer as a junior. Kent State's Friday starter has seen his velocity tick up to 90-92 mph from the 88-90 he sat in the past with a free-and-easy delivery. He's dominated the MAC this year, ranking among national leaders with a sub-1.00 ERA for most of the season and he's finished off his business degree in only three years. Lauer has dominated college hitters with a four-pitch mix. He can work his fastball in and out and up and down. He generally works down in the zone, but will elevate above a hitter's hands late in counts. He has improved his mid-70s curveball to the point where it flashes average, using it to set up a short, late 82-86 mph above-average slider. He doesn't use his changeup all that often, but it flashes average as well.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

As Kent State junior, Lauer recorded an 0.68 ERA that was the lowest in Division I since 1979. The Padres drafted him that year with the last of their three first-round picks, No. 25 overall, and signed him for $2 million. Lauer battled through fatigue in his first full season, but still delivered 122.2 innings and finished strong at Double-A. Lauer is a classic pitchability lefty who relies on mixing and locating his pitches. His fastball ranges from 87-94 mph and he sits 89-91, slowing it down and speeding it up depending on the situation. His fastball has some sneakiness to it and he isn't afraid to pitch inside, making for uncomfortable at-bats even with below-average velocity. Lauer's main secondary is an above-average 84-85 mph changeup he sells with identical arm speed. His fringy 82-86 mph slider lacks bite, but he places it effectively on the back foot of righthanded hitters for a usable third pitch. His below-average 75-76 mph curveball is loopy and rolls into the strike zone. Lauer isn't flashy, but shows enough pitchability and control to potentially survive as a No. 5 starter. He'll head to Triple-A El Paso in 2018.
Lauer was a first-team All-American as a junior at Kent State in 2016 after he went 10-2, 0.69 with 125 strikeouts in 104 innings. His ERA was not only the best in the nation but the lowest in Division I since 1979. The Padres drafted Lauer 25th overall and signed him for $2 million. He pounds the strike zone with a four-pitch mix, topped by an 89-92 mph fastball with downward angle that he locates well. His 82-86 mph slider flashes above-average but has such short break it looks like a cutter at times, while his mid-70s curveball showed good shape but not much finish in his pro debut, registering as an average-at-best pitch. He also has a rarely-used changeup. Scouts worry about Lauer's future command of his breaking pitches because of his cross-body delivery and lower arm slot, though his fastball command is above-average. While his stuff doesn't stand out on the surface, deception in his delivery helps it play up, while his loose, athletic body creates optimism his stuff will improve. Lauer's poise, pitchability, and well-rounded mix have him poised to move quickly as a back-end starter. He will begin 2017 at low Class A Fort Wayne.

Draft Prospects

Everything has gone well for Lauer as a junior. Kent State's Friday starter has seen his velocity tick up to 90-92 mph from the 88-90 he sat in the past with a free-and-easy delivery. He's dominated the MAC this year, ranking among national leaders with a sub-1.00 ERA for most of the season and he's finished off his business degree in only three years. Lauer has dominated college hitters with a four-pitch mix. He can work his fastball in and out and up and down. He generally works down in the zone, but will elevate above a hitter's hands late in counts. He has improved his mid-70s curveball to the point where it flashes average, using it to set up a short, late 82-86 mph above-average slider. He doesn't use his changeup all that often, but it flashes average as well.
As the temperatures rose in the Midwest, so did Lauer's draft stock. He started flashing a 94 mph fastball while looking like he was playing catch. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder was an all-state wide receiver, and his athleticism translates well to the mound. He has a clean arm action and repeats his delivery, usually pitching at 90-92 mph with his fastball. There are mixed reports on his curveball, though some scouts say his arm speed and aptitude will result in a solid breaking ball. While his changeup also is a work in progress, he has more overall feel for pitching than most high schoolers. Lauer could be difficult to sign away from a commitment to Kent State, where he could blossom into a 2016 first-rounder under the tutelage of pitching coach Mike Birkbeck.

Minor League Top Prospects

In his first full season of pro ball, Lauer made 12 starts and pitched 67.2 innings at high Class A Lake Elsinore before being promoted for nine starts (10 appearances) and 55 innings at San Antonio. His strikeout rate slipped from 11.2 to 7.9 per nine innings following the promotion. Lauer sits mostly 90-92 mph with his fastball and can reach 94, and he locates his pitches to both sides of the plate. Good arm speed, a consistent release point and an above-average changeup all pair nicely with his fastball, while an improving slider is competing with an average curveball to break out as a clear third pitch. Regardless of stuff, Lauer is advanced at mixing his pitches and keeping hitters off balance, which should help him maximize his potential as a mid-rotation starter.

Career Transactions

Sugar Land Space Cowboys released LHP Eric Lauer.
LHP Eric Lauer assigned to Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
Houston Astros signed free agent LHP Eric Lauer to a minor league contract.
Indianapolis Indians released LHP Eric Lauer.
LHP Eric Lauer assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates.
LHP Eric Lauer assigned to Nashville Sounds from ACL Brewers.
LHP Eric Lauer assigned to Nashville Sounds from ACL Brewers.
Nashville Sounds activated LHP Eric Lauer.
LHP Eric Lauer assigned to ACL Brewers from Nashville Sounds.
LHP Eric Lauer assigned to ACL Brewers from Nashville Sounds.
Nashville Sounds placed LHP Eric Lauer on the temporarily inactive list.
Milwaukee Brewers optioned LHP Eric Lauer to Nashville Sounds.
Milwaukee Brewers activated LHP Eric Lauer from the 15-day injured list.
Milwaukee Brewers optioned LHP Eric Lauer to Nashville Sounds.
Milwaukee Brewers sent LHP Eric Lauer on a rehab assignment to Nashville Sounds.
Milwaukee Brewers placed LHP Eric Lauer on the 15-day injured list retroactive to May 21, 2023. Right shoulder impingement.