Outfield prospect Jackson Chourio and the Milwaukee Brewers reached a record-breaking agreement in November that will pay Chourio $82 million. The deal set a new standard for contract extensions agreed by players before they made their Major League debut.
Chourio, who was just named the No. 7 prospect in the minors by CBS Sports, has only appeared in six games above Double-A. Still, the Brewers are confident enough in his abilities and character to offer him the highest contract ever given to a minor league player without major league experience. Prior to January 2020, Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert held the record, having inked a $50 million, six-year contract.Outfield prospect Jackson Chourio and the Milwaukee Brewers reached a record-breaking agreement in November that will pay Chourio $82 million. The deal set a new standard for contract extensions agreed by players before they made their Major League debut.
Chourio, who was just named the No. 7 prospect in the minors by CBS Sports, has only appeared in six games above Double-A. Still, the Brewers are confident enough in his abilities and character to offer him the highest contract ever given to a minor league player without major league experience. Prior to January 2020, Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert held the record, having inked a $50 million, six-year contract.
Chourio’s birthday is March 2024, which also happens to be the month he might make his Major League Baseball debut. Chourio’s speed and power made him a top-10 baseball prospect according to CBS Sports. Following a breakout season in the low minors in 2022, Chourio recorded 22 home runs and 44 stolen bases in 128 minor league games the following year in 2023.
Robert’s has been the team’s best deal thus far, without a doubt. Robert’s exceptional blend of speed, power, and defense has allowed him to amass 124 OPS+ and 12.5 Wins Above Replacement since 2020. Reportedly, he is the only player on the White Sox team who they are unwilling to truly consider dealing for. He is one of the most exciting players in the majors. This is what the Brewers are looking for when they consider what Chourio’s future may contain.
After signing a contract around a week prior to Opening Day, Jiménez hit 31 home runs in 122 games and ultimately placed fourth in the Rookie of the Year Award voting. Since then, injuries have kept him from reaching or surpassing either number, but in 2020, after hitting 14 home runs in 55 games, he was awarded the Silver Slugger Award. He has accumulated an OPS+ of 118 over his career. Since the deadline, the White Sox have talked about Jiménez in trades, indicating that he may not have much longer in Chicago before he reaches two $35 million club options (for the 2025–2026 season).
Keith was a steal for the Tigers in the fifth round of the 2020 draft. Keith is a career 300/.382/.512 hitter in the minor leagues, and he has only hit as a pro. He established himself as a mainstay in Detroit at second or third base. With this trade, the Tigers, who are on the upswing and have another talented young bat in their lineup, may still win the AL Central. As the club’s future core of young position players, Keith will be joining Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson. His contract has a maximum term of nine years and $82 million, with three club options.
Kingery was a quick infielder who was expected to lead the Phillies into a new age of baseball. His first season was a complete bust, as he only managed a 61 OPS+ in his first 147 games. Though he did achieve a stronger second outing, even breaking the league-average mark, he lost steam after that. Since then, Kingery has participated in 52 major league games, the most recent of which was a solitary appearance in 2022. At season’s end, the guaranteed portion of his contract expired, making him a free agent.
