Top 50 Tuesday: Why Jaison Chourio is building his own legacy with the Guardians

Welcome back to another edition of Top 50 Tuesday, your weekly deep dive into the future of the Cleveland Guardians.

This week, we're talking about one of the most exciting, and perhaps misunderstood, prospects in the system in outfielder Jaison Chourio. For many, his name comes with an immediate asterisk since it draws comparisons to his older brother Jackson, who signed an eight-year, $82 million contract with the Brewers before playing in a major league game.

But Jaison is carving out his own path, and it's a testament to his unique skill set. The Guardians signed him out of Venezuela in 2022 for $1.2 million, and he's already living up to the hype. While he can't match his brother's pure power, Jaison might be the better all-around player. He has a better hit tool, better defensive value, and more poise at the plate.

Why Jaison Chourio is building his own legacy with the Guardians

Chourio was named the Carolina League MVP last season after he led Single-A circuit in walks and ranking second in on-base percentage at just 19 years old.

A switch-hitter, he shows more aptitude and power from the left side of the plate, and he has a quick swing that produces hard-hit line drives to all fields. His patience at the plate is legendary for a player his age; he rarely chases pitches out of the zone and has a great feel for the barrel.

While his propensity for ground balls may limit his power to 15-20 homers a year, he has the kind of talent that can't be taught.

In total, he finished last season with a .269/.414/.398 with five home runs and 58 RBI with 86 walks and 44 steals.

Chourio is a plus runner with great instincts on the bases, and his speed and arm strength allow him to handle any outfield spot. He's an average defender in center field, his primary position, and he can refine his instincts as he gets more experience. He stole 78 bags in his first 186 games as a pro, showing that he's a true five-tool player who can impact the game in a variety of ways.

Unfortunately, his 2024 season came to a premature end after he broke his left wrist diving for a fly ball. But with his work ethic and determination, he was able to come back and contribute this season.

Chourio's currently playing at High-A Lake County, where he's hitting .235, though he has posted a .380 on-base percentage with 66 walks in 79 games. That drop in average, combined with his injuries last season, are some of the biggest reasons why he dropped a bit this year in MLB Pipeline's re-rank of the top 100 prospects in baseball.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see him start next season at Double-A, which could help jump-start his path to making a major league impact with the Guardians.

While Jackson may have gotten the headlines, Jaison is the kind of player who can be a key part of the Guardians' future for a long time.