Milwaukee Brewers Finally Finalize Contract Extension with Yet to Debut Top Prospect

After days of speculation and conversation, the Milwaukee Brewers and top prospect Jackson Chourio have finally announced a new eight-year contract extension.

After days of speculation and conversation, the Milwaukee Brewers and top prospect Jackson Chourio have finally announced a new eight-year contract extension.

It's the richest contract in history for a player yet to make his major league debut. Chourio is just 19 years old.

COMMITTED TO THE CREW 

We have signed Jackson Chourio, baseball’s No. 2 prospect, to an eight-year contract through 2031 with club options for 2032 and 2033

COMMITTED TO THE CREW ✍️
 
We have signed Jackson Chourio, baseball’s No. 2 prospect, to an eight-year contract through 2031 with club options for 2032 and 2033 pic.twitter.com/TC1N9ZdCFd

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) December 4, 2023

Jeff Passan of ESPN put out the financial details as well:

Top prospect Jackson Chourio’s deal with the Milwaukee Brewers will be official today. It will guarantee eight years and $82 million with two club options that can max value at $142.5 million, sources tell ESPN. News on the 19-year-old at ESPN:

Top prospect Jackson Chourio’s deal with the Milwaukee Brewers will be official today. It will guarantee eight years and $82 million with two club options that can max value at $142.5 million, sources tell ESPN. News on the 19-year-old at ESPN: https://t.co/03TsiQrb26

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 3, 2023

This deal represents an exciting day for the Brewers, who have locked up an integral part of their franchise future for the foreseeable future. The deal can max out at 10 years. They are taking a risk in guaranteeing that much money to a player who has never debuted, but they certainly believe in his ability.

As for Chourio, he's definitely running the risk that he could overperform his deal. The positive side is that he'll hit free agency again in a more lucrative market at the age of 27, 28 or 29.

Chourio hit .282 this season between Double-A and Triple-A. He also hit 22 home runs, drove in 91 and stole 44 bases.

Given that this contract is in place, he's likely to start with the major league club out of spring training in 2024.

Per his MLB.com prospect profile:Chourio brings multiple at least plus tools to the table. His 70-grade speed is perhaps the loudest, and it was a big reason why Milwaukee moved him to center field, where he could cover even more ground than shortstop. What’s more, his contact at the plate is loud and capable of playing everywhere in the park. Brewers officials were often awestruck at how the right-handed slugger thumped the ball to right almost as easily as he did to left.

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