While the Brewers are currently seeking an extension to their season, their prospects in minor league baseball have wrapped up for the year (save for the Nashville Sounds in the Triple-A playoffs). Two Brewers minor leaguers, Jackson Chourio and Esteury Ruiz, end their seasons with honors from MLB Pipeline. MLB Pipeline named the pair to this year’s Prospect Team.
The past two seasons the Brewers had just one player make an appearance on the list. Joey Wiemer (2021) and Trent Grisham (2019), both made their year’s respective first team. (MiLB didn’t play in 2020 due to the pandemic.)
Jackson Chourio- First Team
Anyone who’s followed the Brewers’minor league teams will find it no surprise that the Brewers’ number 1 prospect got the nod to MLB Pipeline’s first team. Chourio rose up through the Brewers farm system this season. He started the season in Low A with the Carolina Mudcats and then spent time with the High A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers before ending with Double-A Biloxi.
Perhaps the most exciting thing about Chourio? He’s only 18 years old and is already playing ball at the AA level. He has a lot of power at bat, as seen by his 20 home runs this season. Across the three levels, he drove in 75 runs.
Chourio has climbed the MLB Pipeline’s Prospect rankings as quickly as the Brewers’ minor league system. He made his first appearance in the Top 100 in June at No. 94. Then, he jumped all the way to No. 39 in the next update, and most recently shot up to No. 10.
Esteury Ruiz- Second Team
Coming to the Brewers in the infamous Josh Hader trade, Ruiz made his Brewers debut this season but spent most of his time in the organization with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. In his time in AA and AAA this season, he led Minor League Baseball in on-base percentage and stolen bases with a whopping 85. The Brewers’ No. 8 prospect is a candidate to make the Brewers opening day roster next year, especially with the likely turnover in the Brewers’ outfield this offseason.
Although the trade that brought him here still leaves a sour taste in many fans’ mouths, Ruiz gives us plenty of reasons to be excited for the next time we see him in a Brewers’ uniform.
Final Minor League full-season leaders:
AVG: Vaun Brown, .346
HR: Moisés Gómez, 39
RBI: Matt Mervis, 119
OBP: Esteury Ruiz, .447
SLG: Kerry Carpenter, .645
OPS: Brown, 1.060
H: Will Brennan/Darius Hill, 166
XBH: Mervis, 78
SB: Ruiz, 85
wRC+: Brown, 175— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) September 29, 2022
The Brewers had a very strong showing in this year’s Prospect Team of the Year. Six teams led the way with two players on the All-Prospect teams. Only one, the Rays, had those two players both on the first team.
Chourio and Ruiz are both important parts of the Brewers’ future. MLB Pipeline rightfully recognizes them for their performances this season. Brewers fans can look forward to seeing these two, and the other rising stars in the organization, again next season!
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1 Comment
Frelick being left off this list is honestly shocking to me.