The battle for the National League Rookie of the Year is fiercely contested this season, with Jackson Merrill and Paul Skenes leading the way. But the field is deep, with other notable contenders like Shota Imanaga, Tyler Fitzgerald, and Masyn Winn making their mark. Yet, the rookie who’s making waves closest to Merrill and Skenes is none other than the Brewers’ own Jackson Chourio.

On Thursday night in San Francisco, Chourio turned heads with a spectacular opposite-field home run, helping the Brewers secure a 3-0 win. The victory pushed Milwaukee's record to 84-62, solidifying their nine-game lead in the NL Central. Chourio’s role in the team’s success cannot be overstated.

This season, the 20-year-old has blasted 20 home runs and stolen 20 bases, becoming the youngest player in MLB history to achieve this feat (20 years, 185 days). He beats out Mike Trout (2012) and Vada Pinson (1959) as the previous record holders in terms of age (21), setting a new benchmark for the league. To stay in company with Trout and Pinson, Chourio has his sights set on reaching the 20-20 mark twice before he turns 22.

The Brewers showed foresight by signing Chourio to an 8-year, $82 million extension with options for 2032 and 2033 before he even had a single at-bat in an MLB game. Although his start was a bit slow—something to be expected from a player so young—Chourio has adapted quickly. He’s stepped up notably, especially with the loss of All-Star starter Christian Yelich with a season ending back injury.

As the Brewers look poised to capture their fourth NL Central title in seven years, a significant part of their success is due to the 20-year-old.