Eric Lauer

BIOGRAPHY

Eric Lance Lauer was born on June 3, 1995, in Elyria, Ohio. He is a pitcher in the MLB.

He played college baseball for the Kent State Golden Flashes of Kent State University. The San Diego Padres selected Lauer in the first round, with the 25th overall selection, of the 2016 MLB draft. He signed with the Padres, receiving a $2 million signing bonus. Lauer made his professional debut with the Arizona Padres of the Rookie-level Arizona League, and received promotions to the Tri-City Dust Devils of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League and the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Class A Midwest League. He finished the 2016 season with a 1–1 record and 2.03 ERA. He also had 37 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched.

Lauer began the 2017 season with the Lake Elsinore Storm of the Class A-Advanced California League. He pitched to a 2–5 record and a 2.79 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 67 2⁄3 innings, and was promoted to the San Antonio Missions of the Class AA Texas League in July. In 10 games (nine starts) for the Missions, he was 4–3 with a 3.93 ERA. Lauer began the 2018 season with the El Paso Chihuahuas of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League.

Lauer was promoted to the major leagues on April 24. He made his debut the same day, pitching three innings against the Colorado Rockies, yielding six earned runs on six hits and four walks in three innings. He was 6-7 in 23 starts for the Padres with a 4.34 ERA, striking out 100 in 112 innings. He led the major leagues in pickoffs, with 10, while giving up only five stolen bases with two caught stealing.

On November 27, 2019, Lauer was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers.

On May 26, 2021, Lauer hit his first career home run, a solo shot off of Chris Paddack of the Padres. He had a 3.19 ERA in 20 games started during the 2021 season.

On January 13, 2023, Lauer agreed to a one-year, $5.075 million contract with the Brewers, avoiding salary arbitration.