The Milwaukee Brewers today signed catcher Jonathan Lucroy to a five-year contract with a club option for 2017. The value was not released by the team but was reported to be worth $11 million.

The announcement was made by Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin.

"We are pleased that Jonathan has agreed to this extension," said Melvin. "His work ethic and continued development and growth at the Major League level made us feel good about engaging into this extension. Catching is such an important position to a team's success, and Jonathan has grasped the challenges. We project him to improve and become one of the better catchers in the league."

Lucroy, 25, batted .265 with 12 HR and 59 RBI in 136 games in 2011,his first full season in the majors . He made 114 starts, all behind the plate.

The team posted a 3.63 ERA when he caught and went 68-46 when he started. He produced 56 RBI as a catcher last season, which ranked fourth in the National League from that position.

The Brewers now have five home-grown core players currently under multi-year contracts. In addition to Lucroy (signed through 2016), the team has reigning National League Most Valuable Player Ryan Braun (2020), pitcher Yovani Gallardo (2014), second baseman Rickie Weeks (2014) and outfielder Corey Hart (2013) all signed at least through the next two seasons.