Jackson Chourio’s meteoric rise continues.
After rocketing up the charts to become the Milwaukee Brewers’ No. 1 prospect earlier in the season, the 18-year-old was on Monday named prospect #2 (subscription required) in all Minor League Baseball by Baseball America.
He was ranked 36th overall by MLB.com last month as the youngest player on this list Oui ranked third overall by The Athletic.
Baltimore shortstop Gunnar Henderson is ranked as the top overall prospect by Baseball America.
Unlike Henderson — a 2019 second-round pick at Auburn University — Chourio became one of the game’s brightest young stars in relative anonymity as an international free signing from Maracaibo, Venezuela, at the age of 16 years.
But the $1.9 million signing bonus the Brewers gave Chourio underscored the confidence the organization had in him.
Chourio’s first professional experience came last season, when he hit .296 with five home runs and 25 RBIs in over 45 games for one of Milwaukee’s starters in the Dominican Summer League.
He started this season as a player to watch, but without much fanfare given that he played alongside more touted prospects like outfielder Hedbert Pérez, receiver Jeferson Quero and right-hander Abner Uribe at the Class A of the Caroline.
The fact that he completely skipped the Arizona Complex League — normally the next step before full-season affiliates — was remarkable.
Chourio excelled for the Mudcats, hitting .324 with 12 homers and 47 RBI to go with a .973 OPS in 62 games – a performance that earned him a spot in Major League Baseball’s Futures Game, an annual event that precedes the MLB All-Star Game.
He was the youngest player to participate, and is now the youngest player at the Advanced Class A level after being promoted to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
In his first 12 games, Chourio is batting .275/1/5/.737.
Here’s what Baseball America had to say about Chourio in their top 100:
“The 18-year-old Venezuelan has been the breakout player for the minors, reaching High-A Wisconsin at an age when his peers are still in the complex Rookie-level leagues. With advanced striking ability, explosive power, plus-plus speed and highlight defense in center field, he has the tools to be a future superstar.”
Baseball America’s latest ranking, which also includes last month’s draft, has only one other Brewers prospect in its top 100 — outfielder Sal Frelick, who is ranked 75th.
