Position: LHP
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 209 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/L
Born: 06/03/1995
College: Kent State University
Drafted: 1st round, 25th Overall, 2016 (Padres)
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
Bonus: $2,000,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2024
Options Left: 0
Overview
Lauer is a finesse lefty, which became something of an obsession with the Pirates during the 2023-24 offseason. He throws a fastball in the low-90s, along with a cutter, slider and curve. His pitches have good movement and he’s had decent K rates. He’s a flyball pitcher and home runs have been a problem at times. Over his career, he’s had no platoon split at all. Drafted and signed by the Padres, Lauer spent most of 2021 and 2022 in the Brewers’ rotation and got very good results. He had a rough 2023 season as he was hampered by injuries. Milwaukee non-tendered him after the season and the Pirates signed him to a minor league deal during spring training.
2016-18
Lauer moved up quickly in the Padres’ system, pitching well in short season ball after being drafted, and in High Class A and AA in 2017. In 2018, the Padres called him up in April and he spent most of the season in their rotation. He put up a 4.34 ERA despite a 1.55 WHIP.
2019-20
Lauer spent all of 2019 in the San Diego rotation, lowering his WHIP to 1.40, mainly by walking fewer batters. His ERA was 4.45. After the season, the Padres traded him to Milwaukee. During the pandemic season, Lauer threw only 11 ineffective innings for the Brewers, spending the rest of his time at their alternate site.
2021-23
In 2021, Lauer spent the first month of the season at the Brewers’ alternate site, then got called up. Except for a brief stretch, he stayed with Milwaukee, making 20 starts and four relief appearances. He put up a 3.19 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. The one issue was gopher balls, as he allowed 16 in 118.2 IP. Lauer followed with a similar season in 2022, posting a 3.69 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 29 starts. He had good walk rates and solid K rates both years.
Lauer’s 2023 season was a different matter. He missed several weeks due to an impingement of his non-pitching shoulder, and also was hampered by elbow problems. He was limited to nine starts each in the majors and in AAA, although with a few relief appearances. He did badly at both levels, with a 6.56 ERA for Milwaukee and 5.15 in AAA. Gopher balls were a huge problem, as he gave up more than one every three innings in the majors. Milwaukee non-tendered Lauer after the season.
The Pirates signed Lauer to a minor league deal during spring training. Given their failure to address their rotation needs during the offseason, he probably has a realistic chance of winning a starting spot.
Stats
Transactions
June 8, 2013: Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 217th round, 505th overall pick.
June 9, 2016: Drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 1st round, 25th overall pick; signed on June 20.
April 24, 2018: Contract purchased by the San Diego Padres.
November 27, 2019: Traded by the San Diego Padres with Luis Urias and cash to the Milwaukee Brewers for Trent Grisham and Zach Davies.
October 23, 2023: Became a free agent.
March 7, 2024: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.