Jackson Chourio cemented his status as the Brewers’ center fielder of the future after signing a contract in early December that guarantees him $82 million over eight years and potentially as much as $142.5 million over 10 years.
It was a record-setting pact for a player who had yet to play an MLB game.
But Chourio must earn an Opening Day roster spot on a Brewers club deep in outfield talent, including first-rounders Sal Frelick and Garrett Mitchell and former MVP Christian Yelich.
“Everybody’s got to earn it. He’s no different than anybody else,” new Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “I told him, ‘You’re No. 94 to me,’ ” in reference to Chourio’s jersey number as a substitute in Cactus League games.
“I’ll hang that No. 11 in my office, and he can look at it every day if he wants. But he’s going to wear 94 until he earns that.”
Brewers general manager Matt Arnold confirmed Chourio’s $2 million salary for 2024 won’t have a bearing on whether the 20-year-old begins in Milwaukee or Triple-A Nashville, where he logged six games last year after excelling most of the season at Double-A Biloxi.
“He will have every opportunity to make our Opening Day roster,” Arnold said. “I think Jackson will determine his progress at his own pace.
“He’s obviously somebody who has moved very quickly at a very young age and met every challenge, so we’re excited to see his growth continue at the pace he’s already shown.”
For the Brewers, whose stated goal is to remain competitive each season in one of the smallest markets in MLB, they need to roll the dice occasionally in a responsible manner to try to overcome some of their disadvantages.
Now, the pressure shifts onto the shoulders of Chourio, who signed out of Venezuela in 2021. He has enjoyed two stellar minor league seasons and is coming off a strong 17-game showing for Zulia in the Venezuelan League.
“There’s definitely a little bit of pressure,” Chourio said. “But I’m going to work really hard. This money’s not going to change me, and if something changes, it’s definitely going to be for the better.”
MICROBREWS
— The Brewers could consider prospect third baseman Tyler Black as an option at first base should they not address the position further in the offseason. Catcher Jeferson Quero could also see his first MLB time as a backup to William Contreras, though Milwaukee wants the 21-year-old to continue to play regularly…