Alexander Lauterbach

From BR Bullpen

Alexander Lauterbach

  • Bats Right, Throws Right
  • Height 6' 0", Weight 225 lb.

Alexander Lauterbach has played for the German national team in a few events.

Lauterbach hit .211 in the 1999 European Junior Championship, striking out in 7 of 19 AB. He began his career in bundesliga that year. Lauterbach hit .311/.395/.500 as a shortstop for the 2002 Regensburg Legionäre but fielded only .845. In 2003, Alex batted .361/.459/.528 while turning 21 during the season. He was 9th in Bundesliga's southern division in average. Moving to third base, his fielding percentage improved to .893.

Lauterbach produced at a .247/.321/.454 rate in an off-year in 2004. He still drove in 26 runs, third in the South and best among German natives. His fielding percentage remained in the .890s despite a return to shortstop. In 2005, the Regensburg infielder blossomed. He batted .438/.488/.759 and led the Southern division in runs (39), hits (49), doubles (12), home runs (8), average (edging former US minor leaguer Simon Gühring by .001), slugging and OPS (59 points ahead of the nearest competitor). He was was second with 29 RBI, just missing a Triple Crown. He also fielded much better, .950 at third base.

Lauterbach was added to the national team for the first time and hit .238/.393/.714 in the 2005 European Championship as Germany placed 4th. He was second in home runs (3), trailing only former big-leaguer Ivanon Coffie, and tied Gühring for second in slugging behind Coffie. He also drew six walks in 7 games and drove in 7 runs. He played first base in the competition.

The Legionäre star slumped to .344/.411/.591 in 2006 and was 5th in the South with 29 RBI. He fielded .883 at third and tied for 4th in the South with five home runs.

In 2007, Alexander fell further, to .298/.352/.500 and only placed among the South's top 10 in strikeouts and triples. He moved to first base as well, fielding .981 and leading the division with 21 double plays. He was 2 for 6 with a walk, run and 3 strikeouts for Germany in the 2007 European Championship, as Jens Heymer was the primary first baseman. Lauterbach was left off the roster for the 2007 Baseball World Cup.

Back with the national team for the 2008 Final Olympic Qualification Tournament, he was 1 for 9 with a walk and 5 strikeouts, splitting first base duties with former minor leaguer Michael Franke. Alex hit .316/.417/.474 in the 2008 European Cup in Regensburg, driving in six runs in five games. He had a big game-winning double in the bottom of the 9th to break a 3-3 tie against the Templiers de Sénart. Lauterbach did struggle with the glove, making four errors in the Cup and fielding .714.

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