Milwaukee Brewers' Manager Provides Updates on if Top Prospects Will Make Opening Day Roster

Speaking to the media on Monday, Milwaukee Brewers' manager Pat Murphy said that new infielder Joey Ortiz has a good chance to make the Opening Day roster, but he was non-committal on top prospect Jackson Chourio.

Speaking to the media on Monday morning, new Milwaukee Brewers' manager Pat Murphy discussed whether or not top prospects Joey Ortiz and Jackson Chourio can make the Opening Day roster this year.

Per Curt Hogg, who covers the Brewers, on "X:"

From the manager's office this morning: 

-Joey Ortiz "has a good shot to make the club" 

-Jackson Chourio, who just gave Willy Adames a big embrace on the field as he ran out for BP "is in the mix."

From the manager's office this morning:

-Joey Ortiz "has a good shot to make the club"
-Jackson Chourio, who just gave Willy Adames a big embrace on the field as he ran out for BP "is in the mix."

— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) March 18, 2024

Ortiz was acquired this offseason in the blockbuster trade that sent ace pitcher Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles.

Ortiz enters the 2024 season as the No. 63 prospect in all of baseball. He is the No. 5 prospect in the Brewers' organization.

The slick-fielding infielder made his debut with the Orioles in 2023, hitting .212 in 33 at-bats.

The following comes from his MLB.com prospect profile:

Since being drafted, Ortiz has added a lot of strength that’s enabled him to consistently register high exit velocities. He hasn’t sacrificed any of his elite bat-to-ball skills, striking out just 17.2 percent of the time in his Minor League career while showing the ability to drive the ball to all fields with solid in-game pop. 

As for Chourio, he enters the season as the No. 2 prospect in the sport. He signed an eight-year contract extension this offseason before ever having made his debut. Because of that contract extension, there is no financial benefit to the Brewers keeping him in the minor leagues, but if he's not ready yet, then the Brewers could keep him down there.

Chourio hit .282  last season between Double-A and Triple-A. He also hit 22 home runs, drove in 91 and stole 44 bases. He's hitting .283 (13-for-46) this spring.

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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