Track Record: A year after the Brewers made Jackson Chourio the headliner of their 2021 international class, the Guardians made his younger brother Jaison their top signing of the 2022 class at $1.2 million out of Venezuela. Jaison Chourio made his professional debut that June in the Dominican Summer League, where he showed off his advanced skill set. He again impressed in 2023, as he moved up to the Arizona Complex League, where he finished eighth with 19 stolen bases, seventh in he batting race at .349, fifth with 38 walks and third with a .476 on-base percentage. Chourio earned a late-season promotion to Low-A Lynchburg as an 18-year-old.
Scouting Report: Chourio stands out for his blend of athleticism, tools and projection. The switch-hitter combines excellent pitch recognition and plate discipline, giving him a mature, advanced approach at the plate. He has good bat-to-ball skills and shows a good feel for the barrel. Chourio is hit-over-power now, but there is some hope that he will develop more power in time as he physically matures. There’s some leverage to his swing that would help him get to his power, particularly when hitting lefthanded. Chourio is a plus runner with good instincts on the bases and stole 20 bases in 22 attempts in 2023. His speed plays in center field, where he can become an above-average defender or better. He has easy defensive actions, good instincts and an average arm. Chourio works out with his brother Jackson in the offseason.
The Future: Chourio is already on an aggressive developmental track. He’ll return to Lynchburg as a 19-year-old to open the 2024 season, when he’ll still be among the youngest everyday players. In a best-case scenario, he could begin to enter the big league picture by 2026, when he will be 21.