Can Jackson Chourio Handle Center Field for 2026 Brewers?

[Jack Stern]

Image courtesy of © Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

When Garrett Mitchell hit the injured list in late April while Blake Perkins continued recovering from a fractured shin, the Brewers handed Jackson Chourio the keys to center field. The results were mixed. Chourio had a positive Outs Above Average (2), but that net estimate came from some extremes of performance. Chourio both rated well metrically and passed the eye test when pursuing balls laterally, but struggled when going back or coming straight in on the ball.

Only 11 outfielders made at least four 5-star catches (those with an estimated catch probability under 10%), according to Statcast. Chourio was one of them. However, those 11 players' success rates on catches the system rated as easier (1-4 stars) went as follows:

• Ceddanne Rafaela - 94.6%
• Victor Scott II - 94.4
• Denzel Clarke - 93.6
• Jacob Young - 92.5
• Pete Crow-Armstrong - 91.4
• Myles Straw - 91.3
• Kyle Isbel - 88.5
• Steven Kwan - 85.7
• Wilyer Abreu - 81.4
• Isaac Collins - 78.4
• Jackson Chourio - 76.8

In other words, Chourio could be exceptionally rangy, but he was also mistake-prone. No Brewers fan has much trouble reconciling that data with their day-to-day experience.

After coming up through the minor leagues as a center fielder, Chourio played exclusively in the corners in his rookie campaign of 2024. Gold Glove right fielder Sal Frelick entered the year with 55 career big-league appearances in center and has been more fundamentally consistent in the field. The Brewers moved Chourio instead, though, because his skill set is better suited to play up the middle.

While Frelick plays an aggressive outfield in his own right, Chourio is the more explosive athlete. He had the superior sprint speed—29.2 feet per second in 2025, which ranked in the 93rd percentile. That early quickness enabled him to have better jumps on batted balls, while still taking average routes.

Moving quickly on contact leaves an outfielder with less time to read the ball, so most players with better jumps take less direct routes. As the defenders tasked with covering the most ground, good center fielders must be able to do both.

Chourio falls into that category in the graph above. He’s one of the defenders near the vertical midpoint and to the right of the average line. His neighbors include Daulton Varsho, Bryce Teodosio, and Andy Pages, all of whom are strong defensive center fielders. Frelick, meanwhile, sits right along the line, meaning his reaction time and routes make him best suited for a corner spot.

Scouts knew Chourio had the tools to be an above-average center fielder, with most prospect rankings assigning a 60 grade to his glove. The numbers back up those eye tests. It’s still a question whether he will develop the increased awareness and confidence to turn that athleticism into more consistent defense. If he can’t, he’ll be better off in the corners, where his speed can compensate for some of his weaknesses with less ground to cover. For instance, he'll have to get better at managing space and feeling the wall when pushed back to the barrier.

The Brewers may be best off if Chourio can make those strides in 2026. While Mitchell, Perkins, Brandon Lockridge, and Steward Berroa are great defensive center fielders, none of them is likely to fill Milwaukee’s need for more consistent power. The most in-house help could come from a change in left field, where Chourio has played most of his big-league innings.

Jake Bauers has long flashed impressive raw power, and he finally made enough contact in September to start taking advantage of it. Shifting Christian Yelich back to the field semi-regularly would also give the Brewers more flexibility to slide another bat into the DH spot. However, both are poor fielders on a defensively-minded roster. Bauers has been worth -11 DRS and -12 OAA in just over 200 games in the outfield, while Yelich has not graded positively in either metric since 2018.

Barring significant roster changes, the Brewers face a decision between defensive floor and offensive upside in their outfield. Inserting a bigger bat in left field may only be worth the gamble if they have a center fielder who can run down balls in the gap that Bauers or Yelich won’t reach. That risk becomes easier to take if Chourio becomes more trustworthy in center.

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[ClosetBrewerFan]

He's a soon to be 22 year old who first started playing CF in 2021. He was a SS in high school. He still has things to learn and can get better. I think the Brewers will continue to give him opportunities in center.

[eddiemathews]

He can certainly play center. It's probably the easiest outfield position to play, although not the easiest to excel at. My only fear is that it will affect his bat, but I have no evidence that this is a thing.

[Team Canada]

2 hours ago, eddiemathews said:

It's probably the easiest outfield position to play

Can you explain why you think that? I'd strongly disagree.

[dsid74]

Getting Bauers into the lineup against RHP on a consistent basis could be huge (follow the link above).  He will obviously get some time at 1B giving Vaughn a day or 2 off each week against tough RHP.  But IF he has cracked the code, he will also need to play LF 2-3 times per week.  Chourio will have to play CF.

As noted, Chourio moves extremely well side to side.  He needs to improve his straight in and back reads.  If he can improve and do that well enough to satisfy them, it would be huge.  

Obviously the defense would be better with Mitchell or Perkins or Lockridge in CF, but they need offense.  The deciding factor will probably come down to how good Bauers is offensively.  If he is putting up an .800 OPS it will be difficult to keep him out of the lineup.  They can always do a defensive switch in the 7th or 8th inning.

Best case scenario is Bauers has cracked the code and Chourio improves his in and back reads.  Adding a RHH corner platoon bat (hopefully average/plus defender) who mashes lefties would complete the OF.

[wallus]

Chourio is the third best CF defender on the team at best. I would prefer him in left field if at all possible 

[Spencer Michaelis]

2 hours ago, Team Canada said:

Can you explain why you think that? I'd strongly disagree.

Obviously not who you replied to, but I get what he's saying so I'll explain my logic.

I would say, at least from a read standpoint, it was always much easier for me personally. Much easier to read if the batter is early/late from straight on. Along with the reads being easier, the ball also moves in a much more expected way. To your right it usually continues to go that way, to your left, the same. When players pull their hands in to pull the ball or shoot one to the opposite field there can be a bit less consistency in the flight of the ball in the corners. Some balls you'd think would keep hooking actually have some fade to them, etc. That rarely ever happens when it's in the middle of the field. You also don't have to deal with foul territory and the side walls in center.

The obvious issue is the distance that needs to be covered in center requires pretty big-time speed, and there's also the fact that mistakes are always going to be amplified out there compared to the corners (though any outfield mistake is usually pretty noticeable).

[eddiemathews]

3 hours ago, Team Canada said:

Can you explain why you think that? I'd strongly disagree.

Sure. Centerfield requires speed, so that's a given. Robin Yount first got put in leftfield after he could no longer play short, and he found reading the ball off of the bat, playing the hook (or slice), and playing the wall and corner caroms to be very difficult. He asked to be moved to center, and said that was much easier. There is less hook or slice on the ball in center. It made sense to me. Does that mean that you should put a slow guy out in center because it's easier? No; that would give up a ton of extra base hits. And my limited experience up thru high school and in softball back that up - I was always more comfortable in center. 

You need a good athlete in center, and Chourio can do it. But if he's comfortable in left and you have a very good fielder in center you can really improve your defense. 

All of these can't be looked at as siloed situations. Run production, arm strength, instincts, all matter. I'd sure like to see Mitchell succeed in center and OPS .800 or higher, but that's hot stove thinking at this point. Chourio will play some center this year, I'm sure. If not a lot.

[Turning2]

Unless they trade for someone, he is easily their best all around CF, meaning defense + offense. We have a good feel for Perkins ceiling at the plate, and we know Mitchell is always a health risk, so neither can or should be counted on. 

[Turning2]

On 1/5/2026 at 11:04 AM, wallus said:

Chourio is the third best CF defender on the team at best. I would prefer him in left field if at all possible 

But he is the "first best" all around CF when you factor in offense and availability. That only changes if Mitchell were to stay healthy and hit approximately .260 and 20+HRs OR they trade for a proven bat in CF. 

[wallus]

1 hour ago, Turning2 said:

But he is the "first best" all around CF when you factor in offense and availability. That only changes if Mitchell were to stay healthy and hit approximately .260 and 20+HRs OR they trade for a proven bat in CF. 

If Mitchell hits .260 with 20+hrs, he is an all-star.

[Turning2]

2 hours ago, wallus said:

If Mitchell hits .260 with 20+hrs, he is an all-star.

Yes, possibly. But back on point, those numbers would make him the Brewers best CF option ahead of Chourio. But until he outperforms JC in those offensive stats AND is available, he is not.  I'm hoping they don't screw around gambling on Mitchell, and go trade for an upgrade who doesn't have a laundry list of injuries in his past. Chourio, upgraded CF bat with reasonable defense, and Frelick as the preferred starting OF would be very solid. 

[Sixtolezcano]

I hope Chourio can play baseball in the US in 2026.