Eric Lauer was a first round pick by the Padres in 2016 out of Kent State where he was the NCAA’s Pitcher of the Year in 2016. In his senior season at Kent State he posted an incredible ERA of 0.69. By 2018 at the age of 23 he was starting in 23 games for the Padres.
In the minors Lauer had a very impressive statline with a 2.93 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 195 K’s in 178 innings pitched. As a result of his draft position and success in the minors, Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer, back in 2018, referred to Lauer as a “hidden gem prospect”.