20-20 season in Double-A at age 19? Chourio could do it
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Jackson Chourio, the youngest player at the Double-A, is also performing like one of the most impressive.
The Brewers' 19-year-old phenom crushed his 10th homer of the year in the second game of Biloxi's doubleheader on Friday, recording an RBI in each leg.
The long ball came in the first inning off No. 29 Reds prospect Lyon Richardson. Chourio drove a 1-1 fastball off the batter’s eye in center field, swatting a two-run shot and giving the Shuckers an early 2-0 lead.
The top-ranked Milwaukee prospect tacked on a walk in the fifth inning, finishing 1-for-3 with a stolen base. Biloxi ended up falling to Chattanooga, 4-3, in extra innings.
In Game 1 of the double dip, Chourio clubbed a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first and ripped a single in the fifth. Biloxi lost to Chattanooga, 4-2.
After going 2-for-5 in the twin bill, the Venezuela native is now batting .250 with a .725 OPS. What’s most intriguing about Chourio as a prospect is his ability to impact the game in multiple ways: on the 20-80 scouting scale, he possesses a 70-grade run tool, 60-grade power tool and 60-grade field tool, proving he has potential in every facet of the game.
Chourio's 10th homer is a fine complement to his 20 steals -- numbers reminiscent of Braves outfielder, and 2023 National League MVP candidate, Ronald Acuña Jr.
To take the comparison one step further: in Acuña’s age 19 season, he finished the year with 21 homers and 44 steals through 139 games. Chourio, who has played 62 games this season, would have eerily similar numbers to his fellow countryman if he continues to produce at the same pace.
This isn’t to say that Chourio and Acuña are identical prospects, but they are cut from the same cloth -- dynamic athletes who have tools worth salivating over.
While his game will require further seasoning on the road to Milwaukee, Chourio is worth getting excited about.