Ever since he signed with the Cleveland Guardians as an amateur free agent in 2022, outfield prospect Jaison Chourio has been praised for his plate discipline.
Last year, for example, he walked more often (19.9 percent) than he struck out (16 percent) by a wide margin.
He did that in Low-A, which is impressive for a 19-year-old (he is now 20).
His wRC+ was an incredible 144.
Tougher days would be ahead for him, though.
He started the 2025 campaign on High-A, but had to miss three weeks with a shoulder strain before beginning a rehab assignment in late May, in the Arizona Complex League.
He returned to High-A on June 6.
The new level has been challenging for Chourio on many levels.
He is not posting a 144 wRC+ anymore: in fact, his 96 wRC+ is a bit below-average.
Guardians reporter Justin Lada discussed Chourio’s season and explained that the thing that made him so special in Low-A is now exposing him: plate discipline.
“He’s having a hard time with swing decisions at High-A right now. There’s some passivity there. And he had health issues. He’s not ready for Double-A,” he posted on X.
He's hanging a hard time with swing decisions at High -A right now. There's some passivity there. And he had health issues. He's not ready for DoubleA https://t.co/i0Y1ulQKNt
— Justin L. (jlbaseball on bluesky) (@JL_Baseball) June 20, 2025
Plate discipline is being able to lay off balls and take advantage of hittable strikes.
Chourio is patient, but that doesn’t mean he has elite plate discipline because he is borderline passive at the plate.
He lets too many hittable pitches go for called strikes, and if he doesn’t correct that, upper minor hurlers, more experienced and with better stuff, could completely expose him.
Of course, he will also need to develop some power because high-velocity pitchers won’t be afraid to challenge him with heat as he goes up the ladder.
He has one homer and just two doubles in 29 High-A games this year.
All things considered, Chourio is a very promising player, but has a lot of work to do before he is a finished product.
NEXT: Bruce Drennan Has A Big Question About Nolan Jones
