The Brewers were rumored to be close to an extension with outfield prospect Jackson Chourio for days, but now it appears to be done. Reports indicate that both sides have agreed to an extension that could keep the 19-year-old in Milwaukee for the next decade — and before he sees a pitch at the MLB level. Here’s a look at Chourio.
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A Look at Chourio
The Brewers signed Jackson Chourio in January 2021 as a shortstop for $1.8MM. Almost three years later, the 19-year-old’s risen to become one of the league’s brightest young stars.
Chourio posted a .833 OPS in the Dominican Summer League in 2021, then hit 20 home runs and added 16 stolen bases across 99 games in 2022. The 19-year-old ended that campaign in Double-A, where he spent most of 2023.
Over 128 games (122 in Double-A), Chourio belted 22 home runs and 51 extra-base hits in the Minors. Chourio also stole 44 bases.
Chourio possesses plus raw power that clearly shows up in film. Between his relatively quiet swing and ability to muscle balls, the 19-year-old has the tangibles to be quite the hitter at the MLB level.
Aside from the power, Chourio cut down on the strikeouts in 2023. Per MLB.com. Chourio had problems with breaking balls early in his career but made adjustments to lessen that issue.
This past season, Chourio struck out 104 times in 128 games (17.8% K%), an improvement from his 118 strikeouts in 99 games (26.9% K%) a year earlier.
All in all, Chourio has the potential to #3-4 hitter for the Brewers with 30-30 potential.
Defensively, the Brewers moved Chourio to center field almost immediately after he signed his first pro deal. Aside from six games at second base in the DSL, Chourio’s played almost exclusively at center.
Center field will likely be where Chourio stays at the MLB level. The young Brewers prospect has the foot speed to cover center with ease, but questions about his arm will likely mean he doesn’t see much time in right.
Per ESPN, the Brewers’ extension of Jackson Chourio will be for eight years and an overall value of $82MM. The deal also comes with two club options and escalators that could see Chourio stay in Milwaukee for the next decade and receive $142.5MM.
Analysis
The upside of Chourio is undeniable, as the 19-year-old has the potential to be a star at the MLB level thanks to his impressive power and speed. There are shades of Julio Rodriguez in his game, which makes the extension of Chourio very important to the Brewers’ future.
Yes, Milwaukee will pay the 19-year-old well more than the Major League minimum in 2024. And yes, there are always risks to paying a player with no MLB experience that much.
On the other hand, the prospect of having a homegrown star in Milwaukee for the next decade — and hopefully at a cheaper price than compared to trying to extend him in two or three years in the future — makes this extension all the more appealing for the Brewers.
He’s got the tools to be something special. And, it does follow a familiar pattern in recent years of locking up prospects before arbitration and before the price of an extension goes up.
The Brewers’ extension of Jackson Chourio does strike some parallels to the ones handed out to Luis Robert Jr. (6 yrs., $50MM) — signed before his MLB debut — and Corbin Carroll (8 yrs., $111MM). The Carroll one went down before the 2023 campaign and just a few months after he made his MLB debut — and it already looks like a steal.
On a luxury tax salary of $13.875MM, Carroll belted 25 home runs, swiped 54 bases, and turned into one of the league’s most valuable players in an instant.
Milwaukee will hope for a similar rise from a star prospect who will make his MLB debut in 2024 for a Brewers team that has established star Christian Yelich, as well as several other young outfielders in Joey Wiemer, Garrett Mitchell, and Sal Frelick.