| Eric Lauer | |
|---|---|
| Toronto Blue Jays – No. 56 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1995-06-03)June 3, 1995 (age 30) Elyria, Ohio, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Left | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: April 24, 2018, for the San Diego Padres | |
| KBO: August 11, 2024, for the Kia Tigers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 45–39 |
| Earned run average | 4.13 |
| Strikeouts | 669 |
| KBO statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 2–2 |
| Earned run average | 4.93 |
| Strikeouts | 37 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Eric Lance Lauer (born June 3, 1995) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theToronto Blue Jays ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theSan Diego Padres andMilwaukee Brewers, and in theKBO League for theKia Tigers. He playedcollege baseball for theKent State Golden Flashes ofKent State University.
Lauer won theNational Pitcher of the Year Award at Kent State and the Padres selected him in the first round of the2016 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Padres in 2018 and was traded to the Brewers before the 2020 season. Lauer played for Milwaukee through 2023 and pitched for the Tigers in 2024, winning the2024 Korean Series. He returned to MLB in 2025 with the Blue Jays.
Lauer was born and raised inElyria, Ohio. He attendedMidview High School inGrafton, Ohio, where he played for the schools' baseball team as apitcher and was a member of theNational Honor Society. Lauer took college courses atLorain County Community College while still in high school.[1] He grew up as a fan of theCleveland Indians ofMajor League Baseball (MLB).[2]
At Midview, Lauer played for the baseball team as apitcher andfirst baseman.[3] He received attention from MLBscouts as a result of his 94-mile-per-hour (151 km/h)fastball.[1] He decided to commit to playcollege baseball for theUniversity of Kentucky,[4] but he rescinded the decision and committed toKent State University.[3] As a senior at Midview, Lauer pitched to a 7–0win–loss record and a 0.15earned run average (ERA), allowing oneearned run in 47innings pitched, whilestriking out 96 and allowing 12hits and eightwalks.[5] TheCleveland Plain Dealer named Lauer their player of the year for 2013,[3] and he was namedLorain County's Mr. Baseball.[6]
TheToronto Blue Jays selected Lauer in the 17th round of the2013 MLB draft.[7] Lauer turned down asigning bonus in excess of $1 million to attend college.[8] Playing for theKent State Golden Flashes, Lauer had a 5–4 win–loss record, a 1.98 ERA, and 103 strikeouts in 2015, in his sophomore year. During the summer, Lauer pitched for theOrleans Firebirds in theCape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[9][10] He finished his junior year with a 0.69 ERA, the lowest in college baseball since 1979.[11] He won theNational Pitcher of the Year Award andMid-American Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year Award.[12][13]
TheSan Diego Padres selected Lauer in the first round, with the 25th overall selection, of the2016 MLB draft.[14] He signed with the Padres, receiving a $2 millionsigning bonus.[15] Lauer made his professional debut with theArizona Padres of theRookie-levelArizona League,[16] and received promotions to theTri-City Dust Devils of theLow–ANorthwest League[17] and theFort Wayne TinCaps of theSingle–AMidwest League.[18] He finished the 2016 season with a 1–1 record and 2.03 ERA. He also had 37 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched.[19]
Lauer began the 2017 season with theLake Elsinore Storm of theHigh–ACalifornia League. He pitched to a 2–5 record and a 2.79 ERA with 84 strikeouts in67+2⁄3 innings, and was promoted to theSan Antonio Missions of theDouble–ATexas League in July.[20] In 10 games (nine starts) for the Missions, he was 4–3 with a 3.93 ERA.[citation needed] Lauer began the 2018 season with theEl Paso Chihuahuas of theTriple–APacific Coast League.[21]
Lauer was promoted to the major leagues on April 24, 2018.[22][23] He made his debut the same day, pitching three innings against theColorado Rockies, yielding six earned runs on six hits and four walks in three innings.[24] 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 inpickoffs, with 10, while giving up only fivestolen bases with two caught stealing.[25]
On November 27, 2019, the Padres traded Lauer andLuis Urías to theMilwaukee Brewers in exchange forTrent Grisham,Zach Davies, and cash considerations or aplayer to be named later.[26] On July 11, 2020, Lauer was placed on the injured list after coming into close contact with somebody who tested positive forCOVID-19.[27]On July 26, Lauer was activated from the injured list and appeared in his first game against theChicago Cubs. Lauer played through a shoulder injury in 2020, recording a 13.09 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched across four games.[28]
On May 26, 2021, Lauer hit his first career home run, a solo shot off ofChris Paddack of the Padres.[29] He had a 3.19 ERA in 20 games started during the 2021 season.[30] Lauer made 29 starts for Milwaukee during the 2022 campaign, compiling an 11–7 record and 3.69 ERA with 157 strikeouts across158+2⁄3 innings pitched.[31]
On January 13, 2023, Lauer agreed to a one-year, $5.075 million contract with the Brewers, avoiding salary arbitration.[32] In 10 games (9 starts) for Milwaukee in 2023, he struggled to a 4–6 record and 6.56 ERA with 43 strikeouts in46+2⁄3 innings pitched. Following the season on October 20, Lauer was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple–ANashville Sounds,[33] but denied the assignment and elected free agency on October 23.[34]
On March 7, 2024, Lauer signed a minor league contract with thePittsburgh Pirates.[35] In 8 games (6 starts) for the Triple–AIndianapolis Indians, he compiled a 5.52 ERA with 37 strikeouts across29+1⁄3 innings pitched. On May 16, Lauer exercised the opt–out clause in his contract and was granted his release by the Pirates.[36]
On May 20, 2024, Lauer signed a minor league contract with theHouston Astros.[37] In 11 games (10 starts) for the Triple–ASugar Land Space Cowboys, he compiled a 5.09 ERA with 49 strikeouts across 46 innings pitched. Lauer was released by August 1 in order to pursue a playing opportunity in Korea.[38]
On August 1, 2024, Lauer signed with theKia Tigers of theKBO League.[39] On August 11, he made his debut for the team, starting in a 5–4 loss at home to theSamsung Lions.[40] In 7 starts for the team, he logged a 2–2 record and 4.93 ERA with 37 strikeouts across34+2⁄3 innings pitched. With Kia, Lauer won the2024 Korean Series.[41] On November 30, the Tigers non–tendered Lauer, making him a free agent.[42]
On December 13, 2024, Lauer signed a minor league contract with theToronto Blue Jays.[43] He began the year with the Triple-ABuffalo Bisons, posting a 1–3 record and 4.50 ERA with 21 strikeouts over his first five starts. On April 30, 2025, the Blue Jays selected Lauer's contract, adding him to their active roster.[44]
Lauer and his wife, Emily, have a son.[45]
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