Brewers to 'expected' to extend top prospect Jackson Chourio to record deal
The Milwaukee Brewers are expected to sign top outfield prospect Jackson Chourio to a recording breaking extension, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The talks between the two sides working on a deal where first reported by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
The 19-year-old is set to sign an eight-year, $80 million deal, which is the largest extension for a player that has yet to play in the majors. The record was initially set by White Sox outfielder Luis Robert, who signed a six-year, $50 million deal in 2020.
Chourio has only played in six games above the Double-A level, is set to establish a new standard for minor league players with new major-league experience, already under team control with his deal.
The native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, does not turn 20 until March 11 is widely considered one of the game’s best young prospects, alongside Orioles’ Jackson Holliday.
The Brewers already have a handful of young outfielders under 25-years-old on their 40-man roster. Sal Frelick, Joey Wiemer and Garrett Mitchell offer Milwaukee a strong young core.
Milwaukee is under a roster transformation, they’ve lost manager Craig Counsell to their division rival Cubs, non-tendered righty Brandon Woodruff and are likely to trade ace Corbin Burnes and shortstop Willy Adames.
This past season, Chourio spent the majority of the year in Double-A, batting .280 with 22 homers and an .803 OPS. The young top prospect batted .333 with no homers, an .851 OPS in 24 plate appearances for the Brewers Triple-A affiliate.
Once Chourio signs his record deal, the he’ll become just the sixth player to sign a long-term deal before making their big league debut. Robert, Mariners first baseman Evan White, White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez, infielder Scott Kingery and Astros first baseman Jon Singleton all signed before their debuts.
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