The Milwaukee Brewers knew early on that they wanted outfielder Jackson Chourio in their clutches for many years, and the team was not about to let him slip through their fingers.
Before he even stepped foot upon a major-league field, the Brewers inked the then-19-year-old Chourio in 2023 to an unheard-of contract for someone with no MLB service time.
On December 4, 2023, the Brewers finalized an eight-year, $82 million deal with Chourio, the most money guaranteed to a player with no big league experience. That contract blew past the previous record that had belonged to Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert, who signed a six-year agreement worth $50 million in January 2020.
Chourio made his major-league debut on Opening Day, March 29, 2024, just 18 days after his 20th birthday, making him the youngest player on an MLB roster. That game, a 3-1 victory over the New York Mets at Citi Field, was the breakout he and the Brewers craved.
Playing in front of his family who flew in from Venezuela, Chourio picked up his first career hit, his first career stolen base, and his first career RBI in his debut.
That was only a brief glimpse into the greatness that was about to unfold.
Chourio lived up to his massive contract during his rookie season in 2024, one that had the distinct feel of “20” involved.
He became the first 20-year-old to amass at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a year. Chourio finished 2024 hitting .275 with 21 homers, 22 stolen bases, and 79 RBI to go along with a .791 OPS.
Those numbers led to him finishing third in the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year voting. Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes won the award, and San Diego Padres centerfielder Jackson Merrill finished second.
According to Chourio, his budding stardom was due in large part to the confidence his manager, Pat Murphy, instilled in him.
“[Murphy] always trusted in me… He always told me, ‘You have to understand that this is a process for you. You’re in the big leagues. Everything is going to get better for you. Keep doing what you’re doing, working hard,’” Chourio said, per Adam McCalvy on MLB.com.
If 2024 was the appetizer, all parties involved feel like 2025 is the main course.
If confidence was a measurable statistic, Chourio would be among the league leaders with the belief in his potential.
“I never tried to prove anything to anybody,” Chourio said about his 2024 performance. “I just tried to enjoy the day. I have the confidence that I know what I can do.”
Although faith in your abilities matters, life in the big leagues revolves around adjustments. In other words, scouts and pitchers use analytics to combat a hitter’s success, and it is up to the batter to tweak his strategy accordingly.
That is what made Chourio most proud about his rookie campaign. His proudest moment as a first-year player was not being the youngest player since 1937 to bat leadoff in his debut on Opening Day. He did not cite that he was the youngest player since Hank Aaron to hit multiple home runs in a game.
Instead, Chourio was most delighted with how he finished 2024 by adjusting to the adjustments directed at him. Chourio talked about how he finished the year with a .888 OPS, 16 home runs, and 63 RBIs in his final 97 regular season games. He followed that up with a productive National League Wild Card Series against the Mets in which he went 5-for-11.
He said, “I’m proud of the adjustments I made after a rough first couple of months. The second half was great. I feel really proud of the adjustments I made.”
To Chourio and his teammates, that showed he was one step ahead of how the league would react to his gains.
Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins, a veteran who has seen and experienced the ups and downs a big-league season can bring, lauded how quickly Chourio adapted to the rigors of MLB hitting.
“It’s an adjustment league, right,” said Hoskins. “I think what was cool to see last year was him getting better as he went. As the league made adjustments, it seemed as if he was able to make those adjustments on the fly. As long as he stays healthy and continues to work the way he did throughout the end of last year, you’re going to see the talent come through.
“He’ll struggle just because that’s how this league is. It’s the hardest league in the world. But if he keeps his head down, he’ll find his way out of that.”
If 2024 was any indication, those “struggles” will be few and far between in 2025.
Unlike most 21-year-olds, Jackson Chourio knows his goals in life. He is not floundering around trying to “find himself”; he is a solid brick in the foundation of the Milwaukee Brewers’ future endeavors.
Also, Chourio will be called upon to be that rock for years to come, as the organization transforms from previous years. Gone are mainstays Willy Adames and Devin Williams, two players whose leadership roles will need to be filled immediately.
The Brewers hope their young, budding superstar Jackson Chourio can seamlessly step into that role in 2025.
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