Jonathan Lucroy Stats & Scouting Report

AB	4140
AVG	.274
OBP	.335
SLG	.416
HR	108

Full name Jonathan Charles Lucroy
Born 06/13/1986 in Eustis, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Louisiana-Lafayette
Debut 05/21/2010
Drafted in the 3rd round (101st overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007 (signed for $340,000).

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Teams seeking an offensive-minded catcher will consider taking Lucroy in the second round. He has hit since he arrived at Louisiana-Lafayette, batting .379 as a freshman and increasing his annual home run totals from five to 12 to 15 and counting. He has strong hands and showed prowess with wood bats last summer, when he ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Florida Collegiate Summer League. Though he has worked hard to improve behind the plate, Lucroy is still just adequate at best. He has slightly below-average arm strength and his throws to second base tend to tail. He's a decent receiver and has strong leadership skills. Like most catchers, he's a below-average runner.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

In his third pro season, Lucroy bypassed Angel Salome as the Brewers' top catching prospect. Lucroy ranked second in the Double-A Southern League in walks (78) and throwing out basestealers (41 percent), then headed to the Arizona Fall League to expedite his development. Lucroy's offense has been more advanced than his defense since he turned pro. He has a good approach and a short swing, squares the ball up and has solid gap power. He has a career .380 on-base percentage and walked more than he struck out in 2009. He bolsters his average arm strength with a quick release and has recorded pop times as low as 1.8 seconds. Lucroy sometimes struggles behind the plate, boxing balls and losing his release point on throws, causing them to sail. He also needs to improve his game-calling skills. His batting average (.267) and slugging percentage (.418) in 2009 were easily career lows, though he still projects as a good offensive threat for a catcher. He has below-average speed but doesn't clog the bases. Scouts are divided over whether Lucroy projects as a regular or backup in the majors. He should hit enough but must continue to polish his overall defensive skills. He'll move up to Triple-A to start 2010 and could see his first big league action later in the year.
The Brewers were thrilled to get Lucroy in the third round of the 2007 draft after giving up their second-rounder as compensation for free agent Jeff Suppan. They knew Lucroy was more advanced offensively than defensively, and he has lived up to that reputation while advancing to high Class A in his first full pro season. Lucroy is an advanced hitter with a very good eye at the plate. He covers both sides of the dish, limiting his strikeouts. He has pop in his bat and proved it by hitting 20 homers to rank second in the system in 2008. He has quick hands and uses the whole field, which is why he hits for a high average. His quick release allowed him to throw out 45 percent of basestealers last season, and he's a leader behind the plate. While he gets rid of the ball in a hurry, Lucroy's arm strength is fringy. He still needs to work on the intricacies of catching, such as blocking balls, framing pitches and calling games. He has below-average speed but runs better than most catchers. The Brewers have yearned to develop a catcher who can both contribute offensively and handle himself behind the plate, and Lucroy just might prove to be their man. He'll open 2009 in Double-A and advance as his defensive progress dictates.
The Brewers didn't have a second-round pick in 2007, so they had to wait 94 choices after taking Matt LaPorta seventh overall. They thought Lucroy surely would be gone by then and they were delighted to land him with the No. 101 pick and $340,000. An offensive-minded catcher, he demonstrates good plate coverage, taking outside pitches the other way and handling both fastballs and breaking balls. Lucroy drove the ball well in the gaps during his pro debut, and with strong hands and a good swing path, he should develop some home run power over time. He knows the strike zone well and is aggressive at the plate. Though Lucroy isn't known for his defensive prowess, he did throw out 43 percent of basestealers in the Pioneer League. His arm is average at best, however, and his throws sometimes tail away from the bag. His receiving and game-calling skills are decent, and his best attribute as a catcher may be the leadership he exudes. He's a below-average runner. Milwaukee isn't exactly brimming with catching prospects, so it sent Lucroy to Hawaii Winter Baseball to expedite his development. He could move quickly and see high Class A at some point in 2008.

Minor League Top Prospects

Huntsville's roster couldn't compare to last year's group, which included Alcides Escobar, Mat Gamel and Matt LaPorta. Lucroy stood out among the 2009 Stars, showing on-base skills and the ability to get the job done defensively. Lucroy has good rhythm and balance at the plate, with a short swing and excellent plate discipline. He squares the ball up with regularity, but his power is below average. He still needs to get better at turning on inside fastballs. He's a below-average runner but not bad for a catcher. Scouts have varying opinions about Lucroy's defense. Some think he's ready to catch in the big leagues right now, while others say he's an offensive-minded catcher whose receiving and blocking skills need more polish. He has a solid-average arm and a quick release, but inconsistent throwing mechanics cause his pop times to range from 1.8 to 2.2 seconds. Nevertheless, Lucroy threw out 40 percent of basestealers to rank second in the SL.
Lucroy is an offensive-minded catcher who does a good job of shutting down the running game. He has a nice, balanced approach, good power and few holes for pitchers to exploit. With his quick hands, solid batting eye and willingness to use the whole field, he should continue to hit for average. While his average arm and quick release enabled him to throw out 51 percent of basestealers, he has a lot of work to do with his defense. Lucroy still needs to improve his receiving and polish his ability to block balls in the dirt, frame pitches and call a good game.
An offensive-minded catcher, Lucroy is particularly adept and controlling the outer half of the plate and driving the ball to the opposite field. He has a good, level swing and a sound approach at the plate, though he could be a bit more patient. He doesn't have great home run power right now, but he has strong hands and hit 18 doubles, so he could develop more pop with further experience. Managers praised Lucroy for the confidence and leadership he showed on the field, though his defense still needs improvement. He's an adequate defender, but his arm strength is fringy and his throws to second base tend to tail away from the bag. He still managed to throw out 43 percent of basestealers in his pro debut.