Jonathan Lucroy, Retired


Date of Birth: 6/13/1986
Birthplace: Eustis, Florida
College: University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Jonathan Lucroy, retired catcher, was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007. He played in the minor leagues from 2007 through half of 2010. He joined the Brewers for 75 games in 2010.

In 2011, his first full season in the major leagues, Lucroy batted .265 with 114 hits, 16 doubles, and 59 RBIs in 136 games. The following year, the Brewers gave him a five-year contract extension that includes a sixth year club option. In 2012, he broke his hand and spent much of the season on the DL. On August 30, 2012, he hit a grand slam and drove in seven runs in one game.

In 2013, Lucroy batted .280 with 146 hits, 25 doubles, 18 home runs, and 82 RBIs in 147 games. As a catcher, he made 56 assists, 857 putouts, and 8 errors in 126 games. He had a fielding percentage of .991.

Lucroy led major league baseball in doubles with 53 in 2014. He finished the season with 176 hits, 13 home runs, 69 RBIs, and a .301 batting average in 153 games.

In 2015, Lucroy was on the DL from April 20th through May 31st with a broken toe. He finished the season with 98 hits, 20 doubles, 43 RBIs, and a .264 batting average in 103 games. He caught 86 games and he made 53 assists, 627 putouts, and 8 errors. He caught players trying to steal 27.8% of the time and he had a .988 fielding percentage.

Lucroy was traded to the Texas Rangers on August 1, 2016. He finished the 2016 season with 143 hits, 24 doubles, a career high 24 home runs, 81 RBIs, and a .292 batting average in 95 games with the Brewers and 47 games with the Rangers. Defensively, as a catcher in 82 games with the Brewers and 44 games with the Rangers, he made 75 assists, 918 putouts, and 6 errors. He had a .994 fielding percentage and he caught players trying to steal 38.9% of the time. In the postseason, he batted just .083 in 12 at-bats in 3 games.

The Rangers exercised their club option for Lucroy for 2017 on November 3, 2016. He was traded to the Colorado Rockies on July 30, 2017. He finished the 2017 season with 112 hits, 21 doubles, 40 RBIs, 51 strikeouts to 46 walks, and a .265 batting average in 77 games with the Rangers and 46 games with the Rockies. Defensivley, as a catcher in 110 games, he made 63 assists, 758 putouts, and 4 errors. He caught players trying to steal 26.7% of the time. In the Wild Card game, he had 2 hits and 1 RBI in 3 at-bats in 1 game.

Lucroy elected free agency on November 2, 2017. He signed with the Oakland Athletics on March 12, 2018. He finished the 2018 season with 100 hits, 21 doubles, 51 RBIs, 65 strikeouts to 29 walks, and a .241 batting average in 126 games. Defensively, as a catcher in 125 games, he made 83 assists, 857 putouts, and 10 errors. He caught players trying to steal 30.1% of the time and he had a .989 fielding percentage. In the postseason, he had 1 hit in 4 at-bats in one game.

Lucroy became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He signed with the Los Angeles Angels on December 29th. He was released on August 5, 2019. He signed with the Chicago Cubs on August 8th. He spent time on the DL in 2019 with a concussion and with a nose fracture. He finished the season with 68 hits and a .232 batting average in 74 games with the Angels and 27 games with the Cubs. As a catcher in 87 games, he made 44 assists, 653 putouts, and 5 errors, and he caught players trying to steal 25.4% of the time.

Lucroy became a free agent on October 31, 2019. He signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox on February 19, 2020. He was released on September 15, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies that same day. He played in just one game with the Red Sox in 2020.

Lucroy elected free agency on November 2, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox on February 11, 2021. He was released on March 30th. He then signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on April 6th, but he was designated for assignment just six days later. He opted for free agency on April 14th. A month later, on May 16th, he signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. After being sent to the minors on July 21st, he elected free agency a day later. He played in just 7 games with the Nationals and 2 games with the Braves in 2021.

Lucroy retired on August 2, 2022.

Career batting statistics for Lucroy through 2021 include:

  • 1,210 games played
  • 1,134 hits
  • 217 doubles
  • 108 home runs
  • 548 RBIs
  • 662 strikeouts to 369 walks
  • .274 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Lucroy as a catcher through 2021 include:

  • 1,098 games played
  • 581 assists
  • 8,039 putouts
  • 64 errors
  • 28% caught stealing percentage
  • .993 fielding percentage

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Jonathan Lucroy
ESPN - Jonathan Lucroy