Jesus Made is only 17but he is already getting comparisons to big time players in the league. One of those is his fellow Milwaukee Brewers Jackson Chourio.
Being compared to the Venezuelan outfielder carries both pressure and honor. In the Wildcard series against the New York Mets, Chourio hit two home runs, making him just the second-ever under-21-year-old player to hit that record.
He is also the youngest player in the major league at 20 years and 185 days to have a 20-20 season, surpassing Mike Trout.
Can Made rise above the comparison? Brewers farm director Tom Flanagan has faith that the Dominican youngster can standout and make his way out of the minors quickly. He even believes that he will be able to join the the team’s Single–A affiliate Carolina Mudcats which also became a home for Chourio for a while.
“What will it ultimately come down to? Baseball skill-wise, we’re confident he could go to Carolina, probably like Jackson did,” he said.
However, he has some off-the-field stuff he needs to deal with to be able to get there.
“Balancing the life skills and all the things that growing up in the States you kind of take for granted. That’s going to be the big factor.”
Jesus Made and Jackson Chourio’s first meeting
The two are on the same MLB but it will be rare for them to meet. Chourio is already a big-leaguer while Made is still working his way as a 17-year-old prospect.
There was one time the two met face-to-face and for their mentor Flanagan, this will be a huge lift for Made.
“I think now, just having these conversations here and there, and more importantly, just from the side, seeing that it’s possible to move that quickly, I think Made has that extra level of confidence that he won’t be the first guy, but maybe, hopefully, he’ll be the second guy in a couple of years to do it,” he said.
Although Made’s stock keeps on rising, Flanagan insisted that they are not rushing the kid to be as good as Chourio as time is on their side.
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