Baseball America recently unveiled its ranking of the top 100 prospects in Major League Baseball, featuring five standout Venezuelan players. Among them, Jason Chourio is emerging as a strong contender to surpass Ethan Salas as the most promising Venezuelan talent in the current landscape.
Salas, who struggled with a .206 batting average and only four home runs in 111 games at the advanced Class A level, saw his ranking drop to 33rd after previously holding a spot in the top 10. In contrast, Chourio, aged 19, delivered an remarkable performance in Class A, posting a .269/.414/.398 slash line with 24 doubles, five home runs, and 44 stolen bases in 98 games, earning him the 32nd position in the updated rankings.
Simultaneously occurring, Jeferson Quero experienced a decline in his evaluation due to an injury that sidelined him early in the season, requiring surgery. Despite this setback, Baseball America projects him to make a significant impact in the Major Leagues by 2025.
Rounding out the list are Moisés Ballesteros and Franklin Arias, both of whom delivered standout performances in 2024. ballesteros, named Minor League Player of the Year by the Chicago cubs, showcased a .289/.354/.471 line with 19 home runs and 78 RBIs across Double A and Triple A. Arias, on the other hand, solidified his status as an elite prospect with the Boston Red Sox, hitting .309/.409/.487, recording 35 extra-base hits, and excelling defensively as a shortstop.
VENEZUELAN TALENT SHINES IN BASEBALL AMERICA’S RANKINGS
- 31- Ethan Salas, 18 years old, C | San Diego Padres, Águilas del Zulia
- 32- Jason Chourio, 19 years old, OF | Cleveland Guardians, Águilas del Zulia
- 43- Jeferson Quero, 22 years old, C | Milwaukee Brewers, Lara Cardinals
- 62- Moisés ballesteros, 21 years old, C | Chicago cubs, Caracas Lions
- 76- Franklin Arias, 19 years old, IF | Boston Red Sox, selected by Navegantes del Magallanes in the New Signing Draft
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Baseball America highlights Jeferson Quero as the Venezuelan prospect most likely to debut in the Major Leagues by 2025. Moisés Ballesteros is also a strong candidate, though questions remain about his defensive growth and ability to manage a pitching staff given his relative inexperience.
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Jason Chourio Emerges as Venezuela’s Brightest Prospect amid Ethan Salas’ Struggles
In the ever-evolving landscape of Major League Baseball (MLB) prospects, the 2023 rankings by Baseball America have shed light on the rising stars from Venezuela, a nation renowned for producing baseball talent. This year’s top 100 list features five Venezuelan players, with Jason Chourio, a 19-year-old phenom, emerging as a frontrunner to claim the title of Venezuela’s most promising prospect, surpassing Ethan Salas in the process.
Ethan Salas, onc a top-10 prospect, has faced a challenging season at the Advanced Class A level. With a lackluster .206 batting average and just four home runs across 111 games, Salas has seen his stock plummet to 33rd in the updated rankings. While his raw talent and potential remain undeniable, his struggles at the plate have raised questions about his immediate trajectory. Salas’ decline has opened the door for Chourio, whose breakout season has solidified his status as one of the most exciting young talents in the game.
Chourio, conversely, has been a revelation in Class A. The teenage sensation posted an extraordinary .269/.414/.398 slash line, showcasing his ability to hit for average, draw walks, and generate extra-base hits. His performance was further highlighted by 24 doubles, five home runs, and a staggering 44 stolen bases in just 98 games. Chourio’s combination of speed, power, and plate discipline has earned him the 32nd spot in Baseball America’s rankings, edging out Salas by one position.
The contrasting fortunes of these two Venezuelan prospects have sparked debates among scouts, analysts, and fans alike. While salas’ elite defensive skills and pedigree still make him a high-upside player, Chourio’s all-around production and consistency have catapulted him into the spotlight. At just 19 years old, Chourio’s ceiling appears to be sky-high, and his ability to impact the game in multiple facets makes him a potential cornerstone for any franchise.
As the 2024 season approaches, all eyes will be on these two young stars to see how they continue to develop.Can Ethan Salas rediscover his form and reclaim his place among the game’s elite prospects? Or will Jason Chourio continue his ascent and cement his status as Venezuela’s premier talent? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the future of Venezuelan baseball is in good hands with these two exceptional players leading the charge.
For now,Jason Chourio stands tall as the most promising Venezuelan prospect,a testament to his hard work,talent,and ability to seize the moment.as the baseball world watches, the rivalry between Chourio and Salas could become one of the defining storylines in the next generation of MLB stars.
