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Overview

School: Kent State University

Position: Left-Handed Pitcher

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 205 lbs.

Bats: Right

Throws: Left

Eric Lauer 2016 MLB Draft Profile

Drafted in the 17th round (number 505 overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2013, lefty Eric Lauer instead chose to commit to Kent State for four years. At Midview High School near his home town of Elyria, Ohio, Lauer was a star on more than one field. In addition to being a four-year letterman in baseball, he also lettered two years in football. He holds every school receiving record, and was named the state’s Offensive Player of the Year as a junior.

As a baseball player, Lauer was a three-year team captain and was named team MVP twice, and also received All-County and All-Conference honors as a sophomore, junior, and senior, among many other accolades. His senior year was undoubtedly his finest, and he capped it off by earning the honor of being named Pitcher of the Year and Lorain County D1 Player of the Year.

Lauer only upped the ante when he got to Kent State. In 2015, he was given First-Team All-MAC and Academic All-MAC honors, and was named a distinguished scholar athlete. Prior to the 2016 season, Lauer, now a junior, was added to the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List, and he’s a serious contender for the award. Over twelve starts this season, spanning 80.1 innings, Lauer is 8-2 with a 0.90 ERA. He’s allowed just eight earned runs while striking out 96 and walking just 25. He’s improved each year he’s pitched for the Golden Flashes, and could come off the board early in June.

Strengths:

Highly athletic

Highly intelligent

Excellent command

Above average fastball

Full arsenal of off-speed pitches

High ground ball percentage

Weaknesses:

No clear go-to out pitch

MLB Comparison: Drew Smyly, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays

Projected Pick Range: 12-23 overall

Most Likely Landing Spots: Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers

Bottom Line

Lauer looks like an ace, even if he doesn’t have a clear “out pitch”. At worst, he’ll likely be a number two starter in the majors. His command is excellent, and that alone gives him a good shot at big league success. He’s most likely a first rounder, and could go fairly high. Few teams would pass up the chance at a starter who’s already so well developed.

Sources: Kent State Athletics, Baseball Draft Report, Perfect Game

Main Photo via youtube.