Jackson Chourio is currently one of the most exciting up-and-coming players. He’s currently ranked as the second-best prospect in all of baseball with only Jackson Holliday ahead of him. The 19-year-old tore up the Brewers minor league system in just three seasons. He is such a talent that before even seeing an MLB pitch, Milwaukee inked him to an eight-year contract worth $82 million. He is expected to be a big part of the Brewers future. Given how quickly Chourio progressed through the minor leagues and the contract he signed; Milwaukee needs to call him up to the show this season.
It Took Him Just Three Years To Torch The Brewers Farm System
Embed from Getty ImagesJackson Chourio was originally signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2021 for $1.9 million. In just three years, Chourio seemingly did everything a team dreams of a prospect doing. During those three seasons in the minors, Chourio put up a slash line of .286/.347/.490 with 47 home runs and 191 RBI. He also had an OPS of .837 and even stole 68 bases. Chourio also proved he could be a great defensive player as well, winning an MILB gold glove in 2022. This past season, Chourio was selected to appear in the All-Star Futures game.
Chourio Signed A Record-Breaking Contract This Offseason
Despite not appearing in a big-league game, the Brewers signed Chourio to an eight-year, $82 million contract. His contract also contains team options for both the 2032 and 2033 seasons. This is the largest contract ever given out to a player who has yet to make it to the big leagues. It surpassed the six-year $50 million contract that the Chicago White Sox gave Luis Robert Jr. in 2016. Chourio is expected to be a big part of the Brewers line-up for years to come, starting perhaps next season.
Very Little Triple-A Experience Shouldn’t Be Used Against Him
The only factor that’s possibly working against Jackson Chourio is the fact he’s barely had any Triple-A experience. He was called up to Triple-A Nashville late last season and only appeared in six games. However, in those six games, Chourio had seven hits and drove in two runs. Given that Chourio has demonstrated the ability to hit well at every level of the minor leagues; Milwaukee will be just fine allowing Chourio to forgo more Triple-A experience. The rest of his development should happen at the big-league level. If Milwaukee had doubts that he’s capable of being a franchise player, then they shouldn’t have signed him to that long-term deal. Those extensions should only be handed out if a player is ready to make big contributions at the MLB level immediately.
Chourio Can Easily Crack The Starting Line-Up
Embed from Getty ImagesChourio is going to Spring Training with the big club this February. Aside from Christian Yelich, the Brewers outfield remains mostly unsettled. In camp, Chourio will be competing against Joey Wiemer, Sal Frelick, and Garrett Mitchell for a starting job. All three of those players have seen playing time at the MLB level. However, Jackson Chourio can easily crack this line-up. Out of the three Chourio is competing against, Sal Frelick is the only one who is assured a spot in the line-up. Wiemer only had an OPS of .645 in 367 at-bats last season before being sent back down. While Mitchell has flashed his potential, durability is becoming a concern. Last season, Garrett Mitchell only appeared in 19 games due to a shoulder injury. Wiemer and Mitchell are being viewed more as trade pieces.
It’s Time For Jackson Chourio To Earn His Money
Chourio has the potential to be the Milwaukee Brewers franchise player for years to come. While Chourio’s Triple-A experience was only brief, this shouldn’t be used against him. It took the 19-year-old just three seasons to hit the ball well at all levels of the Brewers farm system. The rest of his development should happen at the Major League level. Sal Frelick and Christian Yelich are the only players who have guaranteed spots in the line-up. Joey Wiemer was underwhelming last season and there are durability concerns surrounding Garrett Mitchell. It’s now time for the $82 million man to earn his money.
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