The Milwaukee Brewers signed Jackson Chourio to a historic contract this off-season that will guarantee him $82 million and could equal up to $142.5 million. There are some lofty expectations surrounding the recently turned 20 year old, but so far this spring one element of his game may actually doom him from making the Opening Day roster.
Jackson Chourio has played subpar defense during spring training.
Like several top international prospects Jackson Chourio originally signed as a shortstop. He was transitioned to the outfield and has been playing there for all three of his minor league seasons. This spring he has struggled defensively and manager Pat Murphy recently rated his performance as subpar.
Milwaukee Brewers outfield coach Quintin Berry relayed that Jackson Chourio gets bored in the outfield.
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In an article from Curt Hogg at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he had a revealing quote from Quintin Berry indicating that Chourio voiced concern of sometimes getting bored in the outfield. Berry also went on to express that they think he can progress quickly from a defensive perspective.
“When you come up as a shortstop you’re always in the action. Being able to hone in his attention and stay engaged all the time is the battle for him. I think the more and more we have the conversations with learning a little bit more on the big-league side, what we look at, what we hold important, I think that’s going to help him develop quickly.”
Quintin Berry
Jackson Chourio is currently “in the mix” for the Opening Day roster.
Opening Day is next week and the latest report from manager Pat Murphy is that Chourio is “in the mix” for a roster spot. The Brewers were very up front after his contract extension when they indicated that him being in the big leagues on game one out of 162 was not a for sure thing. As that day draws closer his recent defensive flounders may be what ultimately costs him.
**Editors note** Shortly after this publication Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Jackson Chourio is expected to make the Opening Day roster.
