Before the start of last season, the Milwaukee Brewers signed Jackson Chourio to an eight-year, $82 million deal before he ever played in an Major League game.
And they have another young prospect who could be headed down a similar path: Jesús Made.
Chourio’s deal was historic because it was the biggest deal signed by a player with no service time in league history. Made is currently the No. 5 prospect according to MLB Pipeline in his second year in the Brewers system. At this point in Chourio’s career, he was not a top 100 prospect at all.
In Chourio’s second season playing minor league baseball, he reached Double-A, which is where Made is right now. He was promoted recently and has three games under his belt. Chourio played 31 games in High-A before being promoted, while Made played just 27.
Made is moving through the Brewers’ farm system at a similar pace as Chourio, which means it is not far-fetched to think he could be in the big leagues to start the 2027 season.
What comes next for Made will be important. Chourio was spectacular at the Double-A level, playing 128 total games with a .780 OPS. Chourio played in just six games at Triple-A Nashville before making his MLB debut.
In terms of his prospect ranking, Made is already ahead of where Chourio was at this point in his career. Chourio jumped to the No. 2 spot before he made his debut, and it is not unrealistic to think that Made could be a top three prospect soon.
The 18-year-old Dominican Republic native could really expedite his path to the big leagues with a strong season next year. Across three levels this season, he has a .285/.381/.416 slash line with six home runs. Milwaukee is one of the smaller markets in baseball, which is why the Brewers have to make deals like the one they made with Chourio. If they believe in Made’s potential, they will likely also want to lock him up before they cannot afford him down the line.
Made has a 60-grade hit tool, a 60-grade power tool and a 55-grade run tool according MLB Pipeline. He has stolen 46 bases this season and fits the profile of a player the Brewers typically rely on. He has not hit many home runs, but he plays solid defense, gets on base and steals bases.
Chourio has turned into a star at the MLB level, and Made could follow his path to stardom. So far, he is living up to the high expectations the Brewers have for him. He will get the opportunity to continue showing off his skills during the LIDOM season.
He was the first pick of the Tigres del Licey in this year’s LIDOM rookie draft, and could appear in winter ball in the Dominican Republic if the Brewers allow him to play.
Photo: Jackson Chourio of the Milwaukee Brewers got a big contract before he played a single MLB game. Could Jesus Made be next? (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
