The Milwaukee Brewers kicked off Spring Training with a matchup against the Guardians, offering a unique moment for Jackson Chourio and his younger brother, Jaison, to share the field. Although Jaison didn't start for Cleveland, he was part of the travel roster, adding a special family dynamic to the day. Jackson, meanwhile, took the field as the Brewers' designated hitter, batting second.
While we might have to wait for a regular-season showdown between the brothers, this spring exhibition gives us a glimpse of their potential future rivalry. Jaison is making strides in the Guardians' organization, and his presence here doubles the Chourio count in the clubhouse.
Jaison, entering his fifth year with the Guardians, shares a Venezuelan heritage with his brother, having been born in Maracaibo just 14 months apart. He joined the Guardians' rookie ball a year after Jackson entered Milwaukee’s minor-league system. In 2022, Jaison played in the Dominican Summer League and winter ball in Venezuela.
Last season, Jaison made his High-A debut, posting a .235/.380/.284 line over 79 games. While he hasn't rocketed through the minors like Jackson-who moved from Double-A to Triple-A and then to the majors by 2024-Jaison is still a notable prospect, ranked No. 16 in the Guardians' system by FanGraphs.
On the field, Jackson made an immediate impact by singling in his first at-bat, helping the Brewers to an early 2-0 lead. He later grounded to short in the third inning. Garrett Stallings took the mound for Milwaukee, and here's how manager Pat Murphy's lineup looked:
- Brice Turang 2B
- Jackson Chourio DH
- Akil Baddoo LF
- Joey Ortiz SS
- Tyler Black 1B
- Brandon Lockridge CF
- David Hamilton 3B
- Reese McGuire C
- Luis Lara RF
In addition to his role with the Brewers, Jackson will also represent Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, with pool play starting on March 4. This busy schedule highlights his growing influence in the baseball world.