This Milwaukee Breweries could be without All-Star left guard Christian Yelich for some time. The 2018 National League MVP was placed on the 10-day injured list (IL) with a lower back injury. Yelich will see a spine specialist in the coming days to determine the best course of action. Season-ending surgery is not out of the question.
Yelich has been replaced on the Major League roster by catcher Gary Sanchez, who just returned from the injured list. His absence will also free up more playing time for the juvenile rookies and second-year players who have been competing for playing time all season.
The question remains whether any of these players will be able to match Yelich’s productivity in the lineup.
Milwaukee Brewers rookie Jackson Chourio has had a successful season
Since the Brewers returned for the All-Star Break, Yelich has been the club’s designated hitter, with rookie sensation Jackson Chourio taking his place in left field. After a tardy start to the season, Chourio has been on fire.
After going 0-2 on June 1, Chourio had a .207/.251/.323 average. Fans called for him to be demoted, but manager Pat Murphy said the juvenile 20-year-old would be allowed to play despite his issues.
Murphy’s patience with Chourio has paid off. Since June 2, the rookie outfielder is slashing .316/.366/.496 in 39 games played.
His average this season improved to .253/.301/.399.
Milwaukee Brewers rookie Jackson Chourio is the third-youngest player in MLB history with 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases
In addition to hitting .253/.301/.399, Chourio also hit 10 home runs with 40 RBI and 12 stolen bases. He is also the third-youngest player in MLB history to have at least 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases in a season. The two players younger than him were Ken Griffey Jr. and Bryce Harper.
They both accomplished this feat at the age of 19.
As a rookie in 1989, Griffey hit .264/.329/.420 with 16 home runs, 61 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. In 2012, Harper hit .270/.340/.477 with 22 home runs, 59 RBI, and 18 stolen bases.
Now that Yelich could be out for the entire season, Chourio will almost certainly see more playing time. If he can keep up his form over the past few months, he could surpass the rookie numbers of Griffey and Harper.
Incidentally, Harper won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2012.
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