8 years and 1070 billion won at the age of 19
A player who hasn’t even made his major league debut is on the verge of signing a massive eight-year, $82 million contract. That’s Milwaukee Brewers outfield prospect Jackson Churio, 19.
U.S. media outlets, including MLB.com, reported on Monday that Milwaukee is close to signing the No. 2 overall prospect in the MLB pipeline to a long-term deal. According to ‘New York Post’ reporter John Heyman, the deal is an eight-year guaranteed contract with two team options, plus a $2 million buyout, for a total of $82 million.
It is the highest contract ever for a player who has not played a single game in the major leagues. The previous record was the six-year, $50 million deal that outfielder Louis Robert Jr. signed with the Chicago White Sox in January 2020. That’s a whopping $30 million more, and it’s a testament to his immense talent.
The Venezuelan right-handed hitting outfielder is a 6-foot-3, 240-pound infield option who is considered a similar type of player to this year’s National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta Braves) and Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll (Arizona Diamondbacks). He was a shortstop when he signed an international amateur contract with Milwaukee for $1.8 million in January 2021, 카지노사이트킴 but switched to the outfield in 2022 to take advantage of his weak shoulders and quick feet, and has flourished.
Named Milwaukee’s top minor leaguer for the second straight year in 2022-2023,
When he was selected to play in the Minor League All-Star Futures Game, Churio jumped to No. 2 in this year’s MLB Pipeline prospect rankings, behind 2022 first-round draft pick infielder Jackson Holliday (Baltimore Orioles), and No. 3 in Baseball America’s (BA) prospect rankings.
He was promoted to Triple-A at the end of the season after batting .336 with 22 home runs, 89 RBIs, 84 runs scored, 41 walks, 103 strikeouts, 43 stolen bases, a .467 on-base percentage and an .803 OPS in 122 games at Double-A this year. After just six games at Triple-A, Milwaukee believed in his talent enough to give him an eight-year, $82 million contract.
It’s noteworthy because it’s an unusual large investment for a small-market team. Signing Churio to a long-term deal is a declaration of Milwaukee’s rebuilding transition. Milwaukee, which has made the postseason five times in the last six years, including three district titles, has promoted bench coach Matt Murphy to manager after the departure of manager Craig Counsell to the Chicago Cubs.
The team is also rebuilding its roster.
The Brewers released key starter Brandon Woodruff as a non-tender, and put ace Corbin Burns and shortstop Willy Adames on the trade market as free agents. With young players like second baseman Bryce Turan, who made his big league debut this year, and outfielders Sal Prellick and Jay Wimmer, Churio is expected to be the centerpiece of Milwaukee’s rebuild. The deal also eliminates the need for service time management, meaning Milwaukee will be able to utilize Churio immediately, starting next year’s Opening Day.
If he performs as expected, it’s a cheap way to get a prospect before he hits free agency, but it’s a risk because he’s still unproven in the big leagues. Previously, Robert Jr. 사설토토 and Yairo Jimenez (White Sox – 2019, 6 years, $43 million) have performed well, while John Singleton (Houston Astros – 2014, 5 years, $10 million), Scott Kingery (Philadelphia Phillies – 2018, 6 years, $24 million), and Evan White (Seattle Mariners – 2019, 6 years, $24 million) have failed to live up to expectations.