Checking in on Jackson Chourio, the Crew’s top prospect, in Double-A
The hottest hitter in Double-A might just be the Brewers own Jackson Chourio.
The No. 2 prospect in baseball has given fans a glimpse of his seemingly unlimited tools, flexing a huge power stroke, improved feel for Southern League pitching and a lethal burst of speed in his game.
It’s all led to a historic month of July for a player who started the year as the youngest player in all of Double-A
Here’s a deep dive into Chourio’s massive summer.
Scorching Hot July
Despite a somewhat pedestrian start to the season – Chourio entered July with a .252 batting average – the 19-year-old is now on his way to one of the strongest Double-A campaigns by a teenager in recent memory.
Chourio has become one of the most feared bats in the Southern League, ranking second in home runs (6), RBI (20), batting average (.388), OPS (1.165) and hits (33) to finish up the strongest month at the plate of his professional baseball career.
A key part of Chourio’s fantastic July was his improved plate discipline. Chourio only struck out at a 10.6 percent clip this past month while logging a solid eight walks to just 10 strikeouts. Both numbers are vast improvements over his earlier marks this season -- which he's improved upon every single month -- and signs that the slugger has figured out Double-A pitching.
As July came to an end, Chourio raised his batting average a whopping 33 points in only 19 games. Henow sits on top of the Southern League with 103 hits.
Historic Power
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Chourio’s game is that he’s harnessed his power as a 19-year-old.
The phenom ranks fifth in the Southern League with 16 home runs this season, joining fellow Brewers prospects Tyler Black and Jeferson Quero amongst the league’s top sluggers, but no one's done it quite like Chourio.
Chourio has a chance to etch his name next to some of the most established sluggers of recent memory. He only needs one more homer to break a tie between himself and Giancarlo Stanton for the most big flies by a teenager in a single Double-A campaign since 2006.
As long as he stays healthy, Chourio is primed to own this record for himself, and it could be his any day now.
Bringing Electricity
Brewers fans have gotten used to their young core bringing the energy this season. Joey Wiemer has been one of the best defenders in baseball. Sal Frelick put on a show in right field since his call-up. Jackson Chourio has brought a similar electricity to the Shuckers.
It starts in the field. Thanks to 70-grade speed, Chourio has come up with a number of circus catches this season along with four outfield assists.
Additionally, he’s been a menace on the basepaths. Chourio has stolen 31 bases thus far, only getting caught five times. He also showed off the wheels when he scored from third on a sacrifice fly to the shortstop last Saturday.
Chourio has proven to be a gamechanger on both sides of the diamond this season. Brewers fans should be monitoring his progression closely as the season comes down to the homestretch.