Wanting to see better defense out of Chourio
PHOENIX – Jackson Chourio has all the tools, about that there is no question. But as the 20-year-old phenom tries to put them all together this spring training, it’s been his defense that has left the Milwaukee Brewers wanting more.
“Chourio’s done some nice things. He really has,” Murphy said Monday. “You can see it in him. You can see the talent.” But…
“He’s played subpar defense,” Murphy continued.
Murphy was frustrated with a play Chourio didn’t make in the first inning on Saturday. A ball was popped up to shallow center and hung in the air for a long time. Chourio got a poor initial read off the bat and was unable to make a play that every big-league centerfielder should make.
It was one of a handful of shaky plays from Chourio in the grass this spring.
Another came in the second inning Monday afternoon when Mickey Moniak lined a ball in and to Chourio’s left. Chourio was never going to be able to make the catch, but the ball carried on him a bit and he was unable to keep it in front of him. Instead of a single, it was three bases for Moniak as the ball trickled to the fence.
“He is carrying that weight,” Murphy said of the expectations on Chourio. “And we’ve put him in left, center and right. If ever there’s a place to learn how to play outfield, it’s Arizona because it’s not kind to you when it comes to wind, sun, sky and all of that. It’s as difficult as you’re going to see.”
Chourio was out taking reps with outfield coach Quintin Berry on Monday, working on reading spin off the bat.
“Getting out there in a big league setting, we see him run around a little bit, we know there’s some work to be done,” Berry said. “He’s got unbelievable athleticism. He’s fast. He’s tooled out. But we have to clean up a few things for him and get him feeling more confident here.” What needs to be cleaned up? “Just the way he attacks the baseball, going back on the baseball, “Berry said.
“He’s really good lateral, side to side, really quick coming out of the breaks and good coming in on the ball.
“Getting familiar with his depth, going back on the ball, closer to the wall. Don’t hesitate. You see the move, go. Be aggressive. Err on the side of aggressiveness.
“He’s got that tendency sometimes to be a little more timid. I want him to be aggressive. Being 19, now 20, on a big league field, guys who have been around know it takes a bit of time.”
It’s important to remember, Berry noted, that Chourio not only just turned 20 but was a shortstop up until roughly two years ago.
“He’s voiced to me that sometimes he gets bored in the outfield,” Berry said. “When you come up as a shortstop you’re always in the action. Being able to hone in his attention and stay engaged all the time is the battle for him.”
The expectation, ultimately, for the Brewers is that he will turn it around.
“In baseball, he’s way advanced in the box,” Murphy said. “Other stuff, he’s got a longer way to go. We didn’t sign him for just this year. We signed him for the future. I think you’ll see him grow leaps and bounds.”
There still remains a very real chance Chourio is in the outfield come opening day next Thursday.
“Is he going to make the team?” Murphy posed. “He’s right in the mix.”