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MLB 2017: Top 10 catchers

By Joshua Sadlock

Jul 16, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) hits an RBI double during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 16, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) hits an RBI double during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (25) points to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (25) points to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jonathan Lucroy, Texas Rangers

Jonathan Lucroy may have hitched his horse to the wrong wagon after turning down a trade to the Cleveland Indians in favor of the Rangers. The Tribe went all the way to the World Series, while the Rangers were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. Cleveland followed up their postseason run by signing Edwin Encarnacion. The Rangers have not been able to pull off a big addition yet this offseason.

Lucroy had been angling for an out in Milwaukee for years, and he did not disappoint after being traded. In 47 games with Texas, he hit 11 home runs and drove in 31. Lucroy finished the year with a .292/.355/.500 line with 24 homers and 81 RBIs. It was the best full season of his career, and was a solid rebound from a disappointing 2015 that saw him struggling with injuries.

The development of a home-run stroke was big for Lucroy in 2016. He did hit 53 doubles in 2014 to lea the league, but only left the yard 13 times that year. Going forward, Lucroy will have to be careful not to get too homer-happy, but the powerful lineup and climate in Texas should help him approach 30 homers for the first time in 2017.

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