Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio Could Take MVP From Shohei Ohtani, Evaluators Say

The 21-year-old rookie finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year award voting in 2024, and rival evaluators now think he could win the National League MVP.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio waits for a turn in the batting cage during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

According to rival evaluators, Milwaukee Brewers star Jackson Chourio could take the National League MVP throne away from Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani in 2025.

That's what Jeff Passan of ESPN wrote in his all-encompassing season preview on Friday:

Multiple evaluators say Chourio has as good a chance as anyone in the NL to unseat Ohtani as MVP. Still just 21, Chourio homered 21 times and stole 22 bases last season before he could legally drink alcohol.

Opening Day is just around the corner -- and Jeff Passan has everything you need to know covered.https://t.co/D1hqghiZMS

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 14, 2025

The former No. 2 overall prospect in baseball, Chourio put together an incredible season last year, helping the Brewers win the National League Central and advance to the National League wild card series. He finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.

In addition to his home runs and stolen bases, he also hit .275 and had 79 RBIs.

Part of the reason why so much of the Brewers season rides on Chourio's success is because the team lost superstar shortstop Willy Adames in free agency. He signed a big deal with the San Francisco Giants, leaving a gaping hole in Pat Murphy's batting order. In addition to that, they also lost All-Star closer Devin Williams, who they traded to the New York Yankees.

The Brewers were beaten by the New York Mets in the playoffs last year, marking the second straight year that they lost in the wild card round.

Milwaukee opens up the season on March 27 on the road at the Yankees, who won the American League pennant a year ago.

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