Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50
Lauer garnered 2016 Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year honors as a Kent State junior after a spectacular season in which he allowed just three earned runs in his final 12 starts and ultimately led all NCAA Division I hurlers with a 0.69 ERA, the lowest for a starter at that level since 1979. The Padres took him with the 25th overall pick in June, making Lauer the first Golden Flashes starter taken in the first round since Dustin Hermanson went third overall in 1994. After pitching at three levels and reaching full-season ball in his pro debut, Lauer was a Class A Advanced California League midseason All-Star in 2017 and continued to pitch well after a June promotion to Double-A.
Lauer exhibits advanced feel for a four-pitch mix that includes three offerings which grades as a average or better. The left-hander creates angle to plate with a low-90s fastball that reaches 94 and has natural cutting action, and he's adept at locating it throughout the zone. He complements his heater with an above-average changeup that he sells with fastball-like arm speed. Lauer also throws an average slider, registering in the low 80s, that nets him whiffs with its late slicing action, and a below-average curveball that serves as a change-of-pace offering.
Lauer has crossfire to his delivery, but his athleticism allows him to repeat those mechanics and throw quality strikes, all the while creating deception that makes him particular tough on left-handed hitters. While he doesn't have a true out pitch or a lofty ceiling, Lauer has a solid floor as a No. 4 or 5 starter in the big leagues Statcast - Pitching Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2018 2026 352 21 6.0 86.8 14.7 .265 .412 .347 .332 .375 35.2 19.8 9.1 2019 2510 457 27 5.9 89.1 13.5 .248 .420 .321 .311 .361 39.3 21.2 7.8 ALL 4536 809 48 5.9 88.1 14.0 .256 .416 .333 .320 .367 37.5 20.6 8.4 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Rankings Runs Year R Rank 2019 82 20th in NL Hits Year H Rank 2019 158 23rd in NL Losses Year Losses Rank 2019 10 17th in NL Transactions Team Date Transaction 11/27/2019 San Diego Padres traded Player To Be Named Later, LHP Eric Lauer and 2B Luis Urias to Milwaukee Brewers for RF Trent Grisham and RHP Zach Davies. 07/17/2019 San Diego Padres activated LHP Eric Lauer from the bereavement list. 07/12/2019 San Diego Padres placed LHP Eric Lauer on the bereavement list. 08/30/2018 San Diego Padres activated LHP Eric Lauer from the 10-day injured list. 08/23/2018 San Diego Padres sent LHP Eric Lauer on a rehab assignment to El Paso Chihuahuas. 08/18/2018 San Diego Padres sent LHP Eric Lauer on a rehab assignment to Lake Elsinore Storm. 07/31/2018 San Diego Padres placed LHP Eric Lauer on the 10-day disabled list. Left forearm strain 04/24/2018 San Diego Padres selected the contract of LHP Eric Lauer from El Paso Chihuahuas. 04/01/2018 LHP Eric Lauer assigned to El Paso Chihuahuas from San Antonio Missions. 01/18/2018 San Diego Padres invited non-roster LHP Eric Lauer to spring training. 08/15/2017 San Antonio Missions activated LHP Eric Lauer from the temporarily inactive list. 08/09/2017 San Antonio Missions placed LHP Eric Lauer on the temporarily inactive list. 06/28/2017 LHP Eric Lauer assigned to San Antonio Missions from Lake Elsinore Storm. 03/31/2017 LHP Eric Lauer assigned to Lake Elsinore Storm from Fort Wayne TinCaps. 09/03/2016 Eric Lauer assigned to AZL Padres from Fort Wayne TinCaps. 09/01/2016 LHP Eric Lauer assigned to Fort Wayne TinCaps from Tri-City Dust Devils. 07/21/2016 LHP Eric Lauer assigned to Tri-City Dust Devils from AZL Padres. 06/20/2016 San Diego Padres signed LHP Eric Lauer. 06/20/2016 LHP Eric Lauer assigned to AZL Padres.
