Grading Each Rangers World Baseball Classic Performance

Mar 15, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; Venezuela infielder Rougned Odor (12) reacts after a home run in the seventh inning against the United States during the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Petco Park. The United States won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jonathan Lucroy

Jonathan Lucroy was one of two Rangers on the championship winning American squad. Splitting his playing time with former MVP Buster Posey, Lucroy wasn’t quite able to put it together at the plate.

Lucroy hit .267 with a .561 OPS in his four starts. With no home runs and only one RBI, Lucroy’s performance was dwarfed by Buster Posey’s masterful tournament. Posey hit two home runs in 15 at-bats and a .979 OPS which was the third highest on Team USA.

Lucroy’s biggest contribution was his defense and game management which shouldn’t be surprising considering Lucroy has been one of the more underrated defenders in baseball. His 14.1 defensive rating was second best among catchers a season ago.

His game management in the championship game helped Marcus Stroman take a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Team Puerto Rico was shut out one of the best lineups in the tournament and Lucroy had a lot to do with that.

C. .267/.294/.267 0 HR 1 RBI. C. USA. JONATHAN LUCROY

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