Amateur career At Midview, Lauer played for the baseball team as a
pitcher and
first baseman. He decided to commit to play
college baseball for the
University of Kentucky, but he rescinded the decision and committed to
Kent State University. The
Cleveland Plain Dealer named Lauer their player of the year for 2013, and he was named
Lorain County's Mr. Baseball. The
Toronto Blue Jays selected Lauer in the 17th round of the
2013 MLB draft. Lauer turned down a
signing bonus in excess of $1 million to attend college. Playing for the
Kent 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 the
Orleans Firebirds in the
Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star. He finished his junior year with a 0.69 ERA, the lowest in college baseball since 1979. He won the
National Pitcher of the Year Award and
Mid-American Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Year Award.
San Diego Padres The
San Diego Padres selected Lauer in the first round, with the 25th overall selection, of the
2016 MLB draft. He signed with the Padres, receiving a $2 million
signing bonus. Lauer made his professional debut with the
Arizona Padres of the
Rookie-level Arizona League, and received promotions to the
Tri-City Dust Devils of the
Low–A Northwest League and the
Fort Wayne TinCaps of the
Single–A Midwest League. He finished the 2016 season with a 1–1 record and 2.03 ERA. He also had 37 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched. Lauer began the 2017 season with the
Lake Elsinore Storm of the
High–A California League. He pitched to a 2–5 record and a 2.79 ERA with 84 strikeouts in innings, and was promoted to the
San Antonio Missions of the
Double–A Texas League in July. In 10 games (nine starts) for the Missions, he was 4–3 with a 3.93 ERA. Lauer began the 2018 season with the
El Paso Chihuahuas of the
Triple–A Pacific Coast League. Lauer was promoted to the major leagues on April 24, 2018. He made his debut the same day, pitching three innings against the
Colorado Rockies, yielding six earned runs on six hits and four walks in three innings. 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 in
pickoffs, with 10, while giving up only five
stolen bases with two caught stealing.
Milwaukee Brewers On November 27, 2019, the Padres traded Lauer and
Luis Urías to the
Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for
Trent Grisham,
Zach Davies, and cash considerations or a
player to be named later. On July 11, 2020, Lauer was placed on the injured list after coming into close contact with somebody who tested positive for
COVID-19. On July 26, Lauer was activated from the injured list and appeared in his first game against the
Chicago Cubs. Lauer played through a shoulder injury in 2020, recording a 13.09 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched across four games. On May 26, 2021, Lauer hit his first career home run, a solo shot off of
Chris Paddack of the Padres. He had a 3.19 ERA in 20 games started during the 2021 season. Lauer made 29 starts for Milwaukee during the 2022 campaign, compiling an 11–7 record and 3.69 ERA with 157 strikeouts across innings pitched. On January 13, 2023, Lauer agreed to a one-year, $5.075 million contract with the Brewers, avoiding salary arbitration. In 10 games (9 starts) for Milwaukee in 2023, he struggled to a 4–6 record and 6.56 ERA with 43 strikeouts in innings pitched. Following the season on October 20, Lauer was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A
Nashville Sounds, but denied the assignment and elected free agency on October 23.
Pittsburgh Pirates On March 7, 2024, Lauer signed a minor league contract with the
Pittsburgh Pirates. In 8 games (6 starts) for the Triple–A
Indianapolis Indians, he compiled a 5.52 ERA with 37 strikeouts across innings pitched. On May 16, Lauer exercised the opt–out clause in his contract and was granted his release by the Pirates.
Houston Astros On May 20, 2024, Lauer signed a minor league contract with the
Houston Astros. In 11 games (10 starts) for the Triple–A
Sugar 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.
Kia Tigers On August 1, 2024, Lauer signed with the
Kia Tigers of the
KBO League. On August 11, he made his debut for the team, starting in a 5–4 loss at home to the
Samsung Lions. In 7 starts for the team, he logged a 2–2 record and 4.93 ERA with 37 strikeouts across innings pitched. With Kia, Lauer won the
2024 Korean Series. On November 30, the Tigers non–tendered Lauer, making him a free agent.
Toronto Blue Jays On December 13, 2024, Lauer signed a minor league contract with the
Toronto Blue Jays. He began the year with the Triple-A
Buffalo 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. Lauer had a career resurgence in Toronto, posting a 9-2 record and 3.18 ERA during the regular season. He also pitched 8.2 innings during the Blue Jays run to the
2025 World Series, including 4.2 innings in the 18 inning record setting World Series game 3. ==Personal life==