The Milwaukee Brewers have granted an $80 million agreement to one of their top hopefuls, despite the fact that he has not yet played in a professional match.
Reportedly, the Brewers have finalized an eight-year, $80 million deal for 19-year-old centerfielder and prospect Jackson Chourio, as indicated by an MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post. This deal also includes a pair of team choices.
According to Heyman, this contract exceeds the previous record for a minor leaguer by a significant amount. The former record contract for a minor league player was sealed by Luis Robert with the Chicago White Sox for $50 million back in 2020.
The decision by the Brewers to grant Chourio with such a substantial deal has astonished many, given that they are a small market team that hardly offers profitable contracts. This action signifies the organization’s strong confidence in Chourio, who will be turning 20 next March.
The Brewers acquired Chourio in Jan. 2021, two months before his 17th birthday. He is ranked as the No. 2 hopeful in all of baseball by MLB.com, behind only Baltimore Orioles infielder hopeful Jackson Holliday.
Milwaukee is coming off a 92-win campaign that saw the franchise secure its second NL Central division title in three years. However, their dreams of a World Series win concluded when they were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Wild Card Round.
Brewers manager Craig Counsell departed the organization to assume the managerial role with the Chicago Cubs. Following Counsell’s departure, bench coach Pat Murphy was elevated to the manager’s position.
