At 19 years old, Jackson Chourio has already made baseball history, with the biggest contract awarded to a player who has not yet debuted in the Major Leagues. The eight-year, US$82 million pact signed by the Venezuelan outfielder is a strong example of the Milwaukee Brewers’ confidence in the young Zulian’s talent.
Now, facing his first training sessions with the big Milwaukee team, Chourio only has to continue demonstrating the talent that has earned him the status of the Brewers’ number 1 prospect and number 2 on the MLB Pipeline overall list.
“A very exciting experience. Exciting and full of blessings,” said Chourio about his career so far in professional baseball, which includes two appearances in the Future Star Game, an award for Most Valuable Player of the Carolina League (Class-A) in 2022, and countless other recognitions at the minor league level. “Those experiences are unforgettable for me and nothing, the good thing was that I enjoyed it to the fullest.”
With a .286/.347/.490 line (.837 OPS) in 272 professional games since 2021, Chourio has quickly risen through the Brewers’ minor league system. Milwaukee’s new manager, Pat Murphy, stated last month at the Winter Meetings that the Maracaibo native will have to earn a spot if he intends to leave training on the big team’s roster.
For his part, Chourio affirms that “God’s timing is perfect” when asked about his chances of starting 2024 with the Brewers. With just six Triple-A games under his belt (7-for-21, .333 PRO and three doubles by the end of 2023), one might assume that starting at that level would be the most realistic.
“What is happening with me is a blessing. Thank God, these years have gone very well for me,” said Chourio when reflecting on his next step in the Milwaukee organization. “I’m just going there to enjoy it, to get a little more of that experience, to try to learn a little bit about everything and nothing, to work on myself to have a good year.”
ALWAYS HAPPY TO PLAY IN THE LVBP
For the third consecutive winter, Chourio put on the uniform of his childhood favorite team, the Águilas del Zulia, in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League in 2023-24. In 17 games, he posted a .379/.453/.530 line (.984 OPS), five doubles and one home run in 75 plate appearances.
“I think it is priceless,” said Chourio about his participation in baseball in his country. “I love playing here on my land. People support me; The support here is incredible to me. “I grew up watching this team play and for me it is a dream to play there, always.”
TIME TO REWARD THE TRUST OF THE BREWERS
After the euphoria of another season in the LVBP and then the signing of the new contract, Chourio faces the challenge of beginning to earn a space at the highest levels of baseball, starting with the team’s training sessions in Phoenix starting next month.
“It’s a lot of responsibility, you know?” Chourio said. “It is something important to try to be the best at everything and nothing, I will always try to make an effort and I will always give my best, to have positive results. You prepare all year for the season, right? And work hard to see those positive results.
“From the day I signed, they always gave me that confidence and gave me that opportunity. Thank God, I have known how to take advantage of it. And she makes me very happy. Every time I go out to play, I go out to play without worries, calm, because I know that people trust me. And thank God, things have turned out well.”