Jonathon LuCroy

[Bernie Brewer]

probably the wrong forum as this is not a fantasy question. So mods please move if appropriate. With LuCroy coming off DL today, I was discussing him with another Brewers fan and we were wondering how he rates as a player both offensively and defensively. Does he rate as a strong long term answer at C for the crew? I really like the kid, but what is his longterm projection for the Crew?

[schlesinj]

Here is a 2K11 on Lucroy. See if you agree.

[Hammer]

LuCroy reminds me a lot of Thole. Good BA, not much pop.

[The Dane]

probably the wrong forum as this is not a fantasy question. So mods please move if appropriate. With LuCroy coming off DL today, I was discussing him with another Brewers fan and we were wondering how he rates as a player both offensively and defensively. Does he rate as a strong long term answer at C for the crew? I really like the kid, but what is his longterm projection for the Crew?

I don't think he's a long-term answer for them, but then they haven't really anything else (Mr. Angel Salome, please answer the white courtesy phone). He's fair defensively, fair with pitchers, and fair with the bat. Kottaras is a better bat, but is inferior in the other measures. He's a fine, blah catcher, nothing special, but nothing particularly malodorous either. In this latest wave of young catchers (Posey, Santana, Thole), he is forgettable.

If he wants to make a long-term career with the Brewers, he's going to have to seriously improve at least one facet of his game. He doesn't have the glove of the long-time backup or the bat of a long-time team staple. Guys like this always get replaced by younger, higher-upside players that come down the pipe.

[chancellor]

Hmmm...I'm more optimistic than Dane on Lucroy, more down on Kottaras bat skills. I see a quality receiver with an above-average (not awesome or great, just above-average) arm with a solid BA and OBP. Is he Buster Posey...well, no. Is he a .270ish-10-60 above average defensive C? Yeah, I can see that.

Kottaras made some major strides in the offseason in throwing to second and calling a game, but his bat hasn't been anywhere near as good as advertised.

[ThatRogue]

Hmmm...I'm more optimistic than Dane on Lucroy, more down on Kottaras bat skills. I see a quality receiver with an above-average (not awesome or great, just above-average) arm with a solid BA and OBP. Is he Buster Posey...well, no. Is he a .270ish-10-60 above average defensive C? Yeah, I can see that.

Kottaras made some major strides in the offseason in throwing to second and calling a game, but his bat hasn't been anywhere near as good as advertised.

Kottaras has hit .294 in 17 ABs. That's a pretty small sample size to say that the bat has not been as good as advertised.

[Blue&White]

LuCroy reminds me a lot of Thole. Good BA, not much pop.

Except Thole is proving to be a well below average defensive catcher. No one fears his arm and people run on him at will. Plus, he always seems to be battling with the pitchers. He either needs to learn to call a better game or develop some pop to his bat or he's going to be gone.

LuCroy seems to be a better catcher but I've not seen enough of him to have a strong opinion on his long term viability for the Brewers. But, a good backstop makes up for a poor stick. Just look at Yadier Molina.

[Hammer]

Brewers sent C George Kottaras outright to Triple-A Nashville.