2016 MLB Draft: Profiling 15 Potential Cardinals First-Rounders

2016 MLB Draft: Profiling 15 Prospects Who Could be First-Round Candidates for the St. Louis Cardinals

Jun 20, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Virginia Cavaliers catcher Matt Thaiss (21) looks at his first inning home run in the first inning against the Florida Gators in the 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

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Eric Lauer, LHP, Kent State

Lauer rather closely fits the profile of the lefties the Cardinals usually favor. His strongest skill appears to be his polished command, and the fact that he can already mix a repertoire of four pitches (fastball, slider, curveball, changeup) should allow him to advance rather quickly through the minors. His fastball velocity isn’t all that impressive right now—it sits in the low 90s—but the fact that he’s already so mature as a pitcher should allow teams to look past his slightly underwhelming velocity. Lauer, who went 5-4 with a 1.98 ERA, a .203 opponent average, 103 strikeouts, and 26 walks in 15 appearances (13 starts) spanning 86.1 innings, has been mentioned as a possibility for the Cardinals by Jim Callis.

Next: Bryan Reynolds, OF

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