Kent State left-handed starting pitcher Eric Lauer was selected No. 25 overall in the first round by the San Diego Padres Thursday night.
Lauer last season went 10-2 with a 0.69 ERA, the lowest in the country, to go with 125 strikeouts in 104 innings. He was named the Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Year by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
Lauer, the 11th pitcher taken off the board, drew a comparison to Kansas City Royals pitcher Ian Kennedy. Kent State coach Jeff Duncan said Lauer’s savviness on the mound reminds him of Atlanta Braves hall of famer Tom Glavine.