J-Rod? Acu?a? Chourio drawing impressive comparisons from Crew

Jackson Chourio made his much-hyped MLB debut on Opening Day and showcased the exciting tools that make him one of baseball's top prospects.

The 20-year-old phenom fits the mold of the most exciting stars in Major League Baseball today -- he's a dynamic all-around talent, an electric power-speed threat and a rangy defender who can track down balls all across the outfield.

So, leading up to his Opening Day debut, we asked his Brewers teammates: Who does Chourio remind you of? Here's what we got.

The easy comp: Ronald Acu?a Jr.

Rhys Hoskins, who was on the rival Phillies when Acu?a debuted for the Braves:
"If I'm having to pull something off the top of my head? A young Acu?a. I know that's a pretty easy comparison, but when Acu?a came up, he was this really twitchy, athletic kid, but so smooth. He still had some learning to do about the game, and hitting; obviously he's evolved into a monster now. But with the raw tools, I think you can squint a little bit and see Acu?a there.

"The thing I've noticed is that a lot of it just looks really easy. He's got a knack for looking smooth out there. He's got every tool that you could ever want to be successful in this game."

Willy Adames, whom Chourio credits for advice about how to be a big leaguer:
"So far, I think, he's maybe like Acu?a. Just because of the speed, and he's so young. The speed, the ability to hit, the way they play the game: fast. They look comfortable -- at a very young age."

Wes Clarke, Milwaukee's *No. 25 prospect* and Chourio's teammate at Double-A Biloxi:
"I'll say Acu?a, because he has a lot of fun when he plays, but also how intense he is and how seriously he takes it. [On the field], it's the bat speed and power. Because I've seen him hit 100 mph pitches that are at the top of the zone [and] extremely tough to get to. But he has a flat and quick bat path; he'll even get to those."

The other easy comp: Julio Rodríguez

Garrett Mitchell, Chourio's fellow outfielder:
"I feel like I hear everyone say he has the potential to be an Acu?a or Julio-type player."

Abner Uribe, Chourio's teammate at Biloxi and now the Majors:
"He's like Julio. The energy that Julio plays with, Chourio plays like that. Chourio plays hard every day, he has really good focus, he's ready every day. I think that Julio plays like that every day, too."

The bat speed comp: Bo Bichette

Tyler Black, Milwaukee's *No. 4 prospect* and Chourio's lineup-mate in the Minors:
"Hitting-wise, he reminds me of Bichette. By the end of the year, he would be hitting pitches that were ridiculous. ... His hands are special, man. Special. Playing with him, they're the most electric hands I've ever seen.

"That's what I saw, even in Biloxi. He's touching balls that shouldn't be touched. And touching them for singles, doubles. He uses the whole field, too. He'd drive balls out to right field easily in Biloxi.

"I remember the first time I watched him hit BP, I was like, 'Man, this guy's kind of small, and skinny.' Obviously, he was really young. But then that bat flew through the zone. The ball jumped off."

The "be yourself" comp: Jackson Chourio

Christian Yelich, the Brewers' former MVP:
"I think we should let him be himself and not compare him to anybody. Let Jackson be Jackson, and write his own story. His talent's pretty evident. But we're gonna let him go at his own pace and become who he becomes. Do what he does on the field and be himself.

"I want him to be Jackson Chourio -- and what that is, we'll see."

The actual inspiration: J-Rod, Acu?a … and Joey Bats

Chourio (through interpreter Daniel de Mondesert), on who he watched the most:
"I never watched too many games when I was little, but José Bautista always caught my attention. I always liked the way he played. I'm not necessarily one to do too many bat flips, I'm just one to really enjoy the game and be happy about playing. I take more his happiness and emotion."

On who he tries to play like now:
"The truth is, I kind of try to model my game after Julio Rodríguez and Acu?a.

"They play hard, and it looks like they're having fun out there. That combo is what I try to do. Obviously, they're great players, and that grabs my attention. I watch the way they play, how they go about it. That's what I really like about them, is how they handle their business on the field and still have fun with it."

On trying to be a power-speed player like Rodríguez and Acu?a:
"You have to follow that example there. I definitely hope that I can hit some homers and steal some bags. Try to follow their example the best I can."