Misc. Offseason Updates - AFL, Winter Leagues

[Jim Goulart]

Winning streak over for Aguilas del Zulia (box, 9-2 loss), but as was noted earlier in this thread, Jackson Chourio was allowed to play defense and spent the game in center field. Chourio was 1-for-4 (single) with a walk. He grounded out to end the game which you can view at the seven-minute mark here. Teams are in the midst of the round-robin portion of the season, and Zulia is on the edge of making/missing the formal postseason. Chourio's team next plays on Tuesday.

***

Andruw Monasterio, playing second base, singled and walked in seven plate appearances in his team's 18-7 victory. His team plays again today (Monday).

[Jim Goulart]

Chourio on WBC representation:

Jackson Chourio appears as one of the main weapons that the Venezuelan National Team will present in the upcoming World Classic.

"Representing Venezuela is a dream. I see myself as part of the team's outfielders. If there's one thing our national team has, it's depth and we'll have to fight to earn a starting spot. However, if I end up as a bench player, it doesn't matter. Just being on the national team roster will be an accomplishment and an honor."

 

[Jim Goulart]

Andruw Monasterio 1-for-5 (box), in what appears to be the only Brewers action Monday. Former farmhand Harold Chirino had a rough evening as Mona's teammate in the 20-11 loss.

Monasterio's team faces Jackson Chourio's squad Tuesday afternoon. Each team is 27-26 and fighting for formal playoff qualification.

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

Translated article - Jackson Chourio dressed as a hero: he went 5-for-5, with a double, home run, two runs scored and four RBIs
With the victory, Águilas leaves a record of 28 wins and 26 losses after 54 games, occupying sole third place in the standings

In a memorable day for the big leaguer Jackson Chourio (winter league stats through six games), the Zulia Eagles took an important step towards the postseason of Venezuelan baseball, by defeating the Caribes de Anzoátegui with a score of 5-3 in a rescheduled game that took place this Tuesday at the Luis Aparicio "El Grande" stadium in Maracaibo.

Chourio wrote his name in the history of the franchise with his first home run of the season, which in addition to being his fifth hit of the night, also represented the decisive hit for the raptors by producing the two runs of the difference in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Chourio, who went 5-for-5 with a double, home run, two runs scored and four RBIs, joined his brother Jaison Chourio and 21 other players in the history of the Zulia Eagles in compiling five hits in one game. Jaison had achieved the mark last Friday against Leones, also in the "nest".

"Excited to have had a great day. I thank God, first of all, because it was a positive day. You have to enjoy it," the center fielder told the team's Radio Circuit. "This is special. I'm very happy that I was able to do it with my family here (in the stands) they hadn't had the opportunity to enjoy something like this."

[Jim Goulart]

On the other side of the Chourio box score, you'll find Andruw Monasterio (.888 OPS in 98 plate appearances), playing quite a bit of second base as of late, having a nice night himself - two singles and a walk.

No games Wednesday and Thursday, these same two teams play again on Friday.

[Jim Goulart]

OF Steward Berroa doubled in his first at-bat after a few days off, then exited after grounding out in the 3rd. Don't read too much into that, as the box score shows his team using liberal substitutions. Berroa's team has been successful at 32-17 and has a postseason spot well-secured.

[Jim Goulart]

Box: Jackson Chourio single and walk, Andruw Monasterio walk

Familiar spots in CF and 2B, respectively

[Jim Goulart]

Saturday 12/27:

In Game One of the Dominican League Semi-Finals, OF Steward Berroa was 1-for-3 (double, run scored). His team was thumped however, 12-2.

***

Venezuela Matchup: Jackson Chourio's Aguilas club defeated Andruw Monasterio's Caribes squad, 14-7.

Monasterio walked, stole a base and scored a run.

Chourio, playing center field and batting third, was 3-for-5 (all singles).

 

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Ro Mueller]

Eduardo Garcia returned to Cardenales’ lineup after a 23-day absence, making solid contributions Friday and Saturday (3-for-8, HR, 2 doubles, 2 walks) as his team won the regular season title. He played DH and first base. 

 

[Ro Mueller]

1 hour ago, Jim Goulart said:

Venezuela Matchup: Jackson Chourio's Aguilas club defeated Andruw Monasterio's Caribes squad, 14-7.

Aguilas’ victory gives them a few days off before the 16-game, 5-team Round Robin round.

Caribes’ loss dropped them to 5th place in the regular season. They need to win 1 of 2 play-in games against 6th place Tigres to grab that last Round Robin spot.

[Jim Goulart]

Of Monasterio's eight MLB HR's, two went to center field, the rest have been pulled.

2025 Spray Chart at Savant

With the loss, Monasterio's Caribes team faces an apparent must-win situation Tuesday evening in order to advance to the Venezuela round robin portion of the postseason.

[Jim Goulart]

Leadoff CF Steward Berroa singled and stole a base as his team dropped to 1-2 in postseason play with a 7-6 loss. Berroa stranded five on base in the 2nd and 4th innings combined. Since these are no longer regular season games, Berroa's B-Ref page reflects his final .843 OPS in Dominican play this winter.

In his team's 10-6 win on Saturday, Berroa fared better - single, two walks, run scored, and an outfield assist from right field, direct throw.

***

Back in Venezuela, it's unclear when their five-team round-robin schedule begins, but Jackson Chourio's Zulia team has nothing scheduled for several days. Per reports:

"Jackson Chourio traveled to Bogotá to resolve the issue of his visa, (Manager) César Suárez had already informed about this pending trip of Jackson. We hope he can be there from the start of the RR with the team."

 

[Jim Goulart]

Jackson Chourio is doubtful for the start of the Round Robin (translated article)

The Zulia Eagles are already guaranteed a ticket to play in the Round Robin, but there is a reason to be uneasy. It is possible that Jackson Chourio, their top figure, will not be in the lineup in the first days of the semifinals.

The reason is that the outfielder traveled to Colombia to resolve visa procedures and it is not clear when he will be able to return, as reported by Movimiento Aguilucho on its account in X. It was a trip already notified to the team.

This type of diligence can take from one to two weeks, according to other cases, as happened with Jadher Areinamo, who assured the Tiburones de La Guaira that it would take 15 days in Bogotá. If Jackson Chourio traveled at the beginning of the current week, he could be inactive with the Eagles until January 10 or 12.

If so, Zulia would no longer have its main offensive weapon around 50% of the Round Robin schedule. It is necessary to remember that each team that advances to the semifinals of the LVBP will play 16 matches.

In addition to his star hierarchy in the Major Leagues, Chourio was one of the main reasons why the Eagles advanced directly to the postseason. In the 30 at-bats he had in December, he left a .400 average with an OPS of 1.053 with 5 RBIs and a heroic home run that led the standings.

For a team like the Eagles that struggled to produce recently, those numbers are vital to transcend in the Round Robin.

[Jim Goulart]

In the D.R., Steward Berroa, leading off and seeing action in both corner outfield spots, was 1-for-4 with a walk and run scored, but his team fell to 1-3 in the postseason round-robin with an 8-5 loss (box).

One impatient fan mused on 'X': "Wanted: someone who can pass this message on to Steward McFly... sorry, to Steward Berroa: "Unless your name is Albert Pujols or Manny Ramirez, home runs aren't something you go looking for; they just happen. Plus, short-armed guys don't hit home runs, they slap bunts."

Rough crowd...Berroa's team continues round-robin play Friday against an 0-4 Gigantes club.

***

It was a wild 13-12, 12-inning win for Andruw Monasterio's Venezuelan Caribes team, a walk-off win that moved the team onto the Round Robin round in January. Here's how it ended:

Monasterio did his part, with a triple, single, two walks, two stolen bases, two runs scored, one RBI, while playing clean second base, including this dandy:

Monasterio's steals came against former Brewers farmhand Jose Sibrian (who last played in the Detroit system in 2024), while you'll notice old friend Hernan Perez and another ex-Brewer minor leaguer, shortstop Antonio Pinero, are Andruw's teammates. Pinero, now 22, last played affiliated ball in 2022 with the Timber Rattlers.

No winter league action until Friday, with the only Brewers connection being Berroa's club.

[Jim Goulart]

Not official, but an update:

"Jackson Chourio is already (back) in Maracaibo.

He is likely to be available from the start of the Round Robin; let's hope for information soon from 
@aguilasdelzulia (formal team account)."

.

[Jim Goulart]

Won't comment on other current events in Venezuela, but -- 

Box Score: Jackson Chourio's Zulia team won the first round-robin game played in Venezuela, winning 4-3 in ten innings. The manager of the opposing Navegantes del Magallanes is none other than Yadier Molina, who was ejected disputing an out call at the plate that ended the 9th inning. On to the top of the 10th (no ghost runner), where an old friend turning 41 years old later this month, took the mound. After two flyouts, this happened (followed by another solo home run). Zulia allowed a run in the bottom of the 10th but held on.

Chourio finished 4-for-5, a triple shy of a cycle - HR, double, two singles, 3 R, the GW RBI, stole second base, played CF all game, batting 3rd in the order.

***

Jackson Chourio enjoys the Round Robin, but for a short time (translated article)

Jackson Chourio had never appeared in a postseason game in Venezuela and said the idea had seduced him since he joined the Zulia Eagles in mid-December. But that new experience in his career has an expiration date.

"Super happy, it's a dream, I always wanted to live this experience, to be a Round Robin," said the young star of the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, before the game between the Raptors and Magallanes. "Although I won't be able to be there for all of January, I have very few games left, but I'm going to give my best. To contribute what is necessary so that the team can win and, well, in the end, I will be supporting my teammates from a distance".

Chourio did not reveal the date of his departure and in Zulia they do not do the math. Having him in the lineup is a luxury, not only among the five teams trying to reach the Final Series, but throughout the Caribbean.

While the moment of farewell arrives, Chourio promises "a good show," as he did in the elimination round, in which he exhibited an astronomical offensive line of .400/.486/.567 (30-12) with 10 runs scored, two doubles, a home run, five RBIs and a 1.053 OPS, in seven games.

"Every time I come to play in Venezuela, I do it with a lot of enthusiasm, because the Eagles for me is like a family and believe me that I enjoy it to the fullest," said the dynamic 21-year-old outfielder.

And one of his incentives is to be part of the same lineup with his younger brother Jaison, who is just 20 years old.

"Playing with my brother is special and being on the same team was one of our dreams and what a way to live it, proud of the player he is becoming," said Jackson Chourio, in conversation with LVBP.com.

"We have a very good team, each of the boys is a warrior and I know they will do great things," he added when he responded about the immediate future of his club.

FOND MEMORIES OF VALENCIA

Jackson Chourio hit the second of his four career home runs in the regular round at the José Bernardo Pérez Stadium in Valencia. His victim was right-hander Luis Martínez, on November 1, 2022.

"I like this stadium a lot. Here the ball is walking a lot. But regardless of what happens, I always go out there to put on a good show for the fans."

WITH AN EYE ON THE WORLD CLASSIC

Jackson Chourio hopes to be part of the Venezuelan national team in the World Classic, although his presence has not been made official.

"I work to stay healthy, obviously I want to represent my country. I'm happy to have that opportunity. I've spoken a couple of times with the manager (Omar López) and, to be honest, we have very good communication."

IN FIGURES

Jackson Chourio has career LVBP averages of .306/.370/.420 (245-75) with 43 runs scored, 14 doubles, one triple, four home runs, five steals and a .790 OPS, in 63 games between the 2021-2022 and 2025-2026 seasons.

***

This tweet includes a postgame interview, for those of you who know Spanish. The text within:

JACKSON CHOURIO'S WORLD! 🦅💎

It's not a promise, despite being 21 years old, it's a crushing reality: Jackson Chourio is in "video game mode." Since he adjusted his approach, what we're seeing is an offensive disaster for the rivals.

Look at what he's done in his last 4 games:
🔥 13 hits in 18 at-bats.
🔥 4 extra-base hits (2 2B, 2 HR).
🔥 8 runs scored and 5 driven in.
🔥 ZERO strikeouts! and 1 walk.

His splits over this stretch look like they're from another planet:
🔝 .722 AVG
🔝 .737 OBP
🔝 1.904 OPS

THE CLUTCH FACTOR❄️:
Chourio doesn't just hit, he hits when an important game is on the line. Two moments that define what's happened in his season so far:

1️⃣ HR vs Caribes: to break the tie in the 8th, at the end of the regular season.
2️⃣ HR vs Magallanes: to deliver the blow in the 10th, at the start of the Round Robin.

The LVBP is starting to feel too small for him. Enjoy it, because he's the best player among those playing in January.

***

Finally, on Chourio (for now), one thing that is also abundantly clear in social media from fans in Venezuela is the class shown by Jackson with the lack of showboating and deference to the game itself. It's also evident the number of times Venezuelans rejoice in comparisons to Ronald Acuna, Jr.

[Jim Goulart]

Also in Venezuela on Friday, Andruw Monasterio's Caribes de Anzoátegui also opened round-robin play (five teams total, play each four times, 16 games overall) with an extra-inning game, but a loss, 6-5, in ten innings (box). Game lost on a walk-off HR.

Monasterio, batting 2nd and playing second base, was 1-for-5 with three K's. He did, however, have this RBI single (subsequently thrown out at third base trying to advance on Luisangel Acuna's error in center field.

For the winning Lara team, Brewers farmhand Eduardo Garcia was a pinch-runner and defensive entry, playing first base (he remains primarily a SS/3B/CF).

[Jim Goulart]

It was extra innings everywhere Friday. In the Dominican Republic, 40-man roster OF Steward Berroa's Aguilas Cibaeñas team moved to 2-3 in round robin play., scoring two runs in the bottom of the 10th for a walk-off 8-7 victory. Berroa, the right fielder in this one, clubbed a solo home run in the bottom of the 7th to put his team up 4-1 at the time. It was the third solo home run of the inning for the Aguilas.

Do you want to see all three home runs?

Former big-league RHP Reymin Guduan (Astros, Athletics), now 33 years old and out of affiliated ball since 2021 (active Mexican Leaguer in 2025), surrendered all three bombs.

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

Box: Steward Berroa, single walk, caught stealing. His Dominican team wins 4-1 to even their round robin record at 3-3. 

[Jim Goulart]

Dominican Box Score: Steward Berroa, playing right field, 0-for-3 with a walk (two K's) as his team drops a 5-2 game to fall to 3-4 in the 16-game round robin.  

***

FYI - Venezuelan games won't begin again until Wednesday at the earliest, and we wouldn't expect Jackson Chourio and Andruw Monasterio to focus on anything but leaving the country at this point.