Brewers’ Youthful Stars Spark Team’s Resurgence After Tough Start

DENVER – The Milwaukee Brewers are finding their rhythm thanks to breakout performances by Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio. After a dismal 0-4 start to the season, the Brewers have rallied to a 7-5 record, leaving them just half a game behind in the National League Central.

Brice Turang, 23, has been a key component of this resurgence. During Tuesday’s game against the Colorado Rockies, he belted a career-best 444-foot home run while wearing batting gloves given to him by former Brewers star Ryan Braun. “I was just telling him that I go to (Milwaukee’s director of equipment) Jason Shawger to get my gloves. He was like, ‘I’ll send you some pairs,’ and was nice enough to give them to me,” Turang said.

Entering Wednesday’s contest, Turang was hitting .318 with three home runs, seven RBIs, and an .885 OPS, showcasing his offensive prowess and agility at second base. Notably, he has also borrowed gloves from teammate Christian Yelich, indicating a spirit of camaraderie within the team. “Yeli is nice enough to let me borrow some whenever I need it,” Turang noted.

Jackson Chourio, 21, has equally impressed since a rocky start on opening day. After logging an 0-for-5 performance against the New York Yankees, Chourio bounced back by stringing together 11 consecutive games with hits, hitting .347 with a 1.049 OPS since then. Following Wednesday’s match against the Rockies, where he had a two-run double and a three-run homer, Chourio leads the team with 16 RBIs, marking him among the top players in Major League Baseball.

“What can you say, man? The kid doesn’t realize how great he will be,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said of Chourio. The Brewers demonstrate their confidence in him with an unprecedented eight-year, $82 million contract extension signed in December 2023.

Chourio’s impressive stats include 11 extra-base hits, tying him for the major league lead alongside Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs. “We have the same confidence we’ve always had, and I think we’re just going through a good stretch right now,” Chourio said, crediting his success to consistent at-bats and focusing on making good contact.

The strong performances from both players have contributed to Milwaukee’s recent offensive surge, scoring 39 runs over their last four games. “They were a big reason why we’ve played so well the last week or so,” Yelich said, emphasizing the complementary roles Turang and Chourio have played in revitalizing the lineup.

As the Brewers continue to build momentum, both Turang and Chourio are expected to further elevate their game, solidifying their places as significant contributors in the team’s pursuit for success this season. Milwaukee’s run differential has improved to nearly even, a stark contrast from the negative figures seen after their rough start. “It obviously makes me very happy that the offense is going through this stretch right here. It feels like everyone’s swinging the bat really well,” Chourio remarked.