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MLB rookie check-in: Brewers' Chourio leading the way
Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

MLB rookie check-in: Brewers' Jackson Chourio already leading the way

By David Kull  |  Last updated 4/1/24

As the MLB season officially opened for all 30 teams, just about every prognosticator’s list of Rookie of the Year favorites included someone named “Jackson.”

That’s because the Baltimore Orioles’ Jackson Holliday, the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jackson Chourio and the San Diego Padres’ Jackson Merrill are the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 12 ranked MLB prospects, respectively, according to MLB Pipeline, and are expected to be impact rookies in 2024.

Holliday is starting the season at Triple-A Norfolk, although the Orioles should promote him sometime after April 12 when they can ensure an extra year of service time before he becomes a free agent.

Meanwhile, Chourio and Merrill made their MLB debuts and appear in the inaugural rookie ranking below. One thing to note: After only a handful of games, more weight was given to players who played in at least three games. 

Also, apologies go out to the pitchers, who won’t be included until next week’s rookie ranking due to the tiny sample size.

1.  Jackson Chourio | RF | Milwaukee Brewers

At 20 years and 18 days old, Chourio became the youngest player to hit in the leadoff spot on Opening Day since1937, when Bobby Doerr of the Boston Red Sox was 19 years and 13 days old. He’s also the fifth youngest to start an Opening Day game at any position since 1969. After only three games, the young Venezuelan hasn’t disappointed, leading all rookies with at least 10 plate appearances in hits (five) and on-base percentage (.462).

2. Ceddanne Rafaela | CF| Boston Red Sox

Rafaela, 23, got his first taste of MLB last September, playing 28 games, and then hit well enough this spring to make the big-league club. Considered a Gold Glove-caliber defensive talent, the Curacao native is off to a solid start with the glove and the bat (4-for-12, .333), with hits in each of his first three games, including a triple and a double.

3. Wyatt Langford | DH/LF | Texas Rangers

Langford, who was drafted No. 4 overall last June, proved he deserved an opportunity at the major league level when he hit .365 with a 1.137 OPS and six home runs during spring training. His hot bat has carried over into the regular season. The No. 6 rated prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, is hitting .333 with one triple and three RBI, and he made a sliding catch during his first start in left field Sunday.

4. Jung Hoo Lee | CF | San Francisco Giants

Lee has been everything the Giants hoped he’d be when they signed the Korean star to a six-year, $113 million contract. The former KBO League Most Valuable Player, hitting leadoff for the Giants, crushed his first MLB home run on Saturday and leads all rookies with four RBI. He’s also reached base seven times in four games on four hits and three walks.

5. Brayan Rocchio | SS | Cleveland Guardians

Rocchio, the Guardians’ No. 1 prospect, made his MLB debut last May and hit .247 in 23 games. In spring training, he beat out Gabriel Arias for the starting shortstop job and has proceeded to crack three doubles over three games. The switch-hitter, who’s known more for his stellar defensive abilities, now has a .930 OPS.

Honorable mentions

6. Austin Wells | C | New York Yankees

7. Jackson Merrill | CF | San Diego Padres

8. Trey Lipscomb | 3B | Washington Nationals

9. Graham Pauley | 3B/1B | San Diego Padres

10. Braden Shewmake | SS/2B | Chicago White Sox

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