Lauer Selected 25th Overall in MLB Draft by Padres
6/9/2016 9:36:00 PM | Baseball
After weeks of anticipation and build-up, Kent State ace Eric Lauer was selected by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft, going as the 25th overall pick on Thursday night.
"This is a dream come true," Lauer said. "To be drafted in the first round has always been one of my goals and it's a bit surreal to have it actually happen. I'm really excited to be a part of the Padres organization and I can't wait to get to work to so I can work on my next goal of making it to the Major Leagues. It's been a fun night with family and friends and I am so thankful for the support everyone has given me and that they were able to be here and join in this experience with me tonight."
Lauer joins six other former Flashes that were selected in the first round, all who went on to become Major Leaguers: Thurman Munson (1968, 4th overall), Dustin Hermanson (1994, 3rd overall), Travis Miller (1994, 34th overall), John VanBenschoten (2001, 8th overall), Emmanuel Burriss (2006, 33rd overall) and Andrew Chafin (2011, 43rd overall).
"To be the 7th first-round pick in Kent State history is really an honor. To have my name mentioned alongside all those great players is awesome. These past three years have been a lot of fun and I truly believe choosing college out of high school was the right choice for me. I will always be proud to be a Golden Flash and I am glad to be mentioned among some of the legends that have had the privilege to wear a Kent State jersey. I hope to make Kent State proud."
The Golden Flashes' lefty posted the lowest ERA in the nation and the lowest from a Division I starting pitcher in decades, a miniscule 0.69 in 104.0 innings. His 125 strikeouts this season ranked as the second-most all-time in a single season at Kent State while he also sits second in career strikeouts. Lauer was named the national Player of the Year by Collegiate Baseball while also garnering First Team All-America honors from Baseball America. His excellence in the classroom was recognized, too, as he was named a Second Team Academic All-American, the highest individual academic honor in program history.
Lauer joins former Kent State major Leaguers Dustin Hermanson and Dirk Hayhurst as San Diego draft picks. Robert Sabo was the most recent KSU pick that went to the Padres when he was selected in the 44th round in 2010.
