Brewers 8, Guardians 5: Willy Adames homers, then heaps praise on Jackson Chourio
GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Willy Adames became the second middle-of-the-order bat to hit a home run on two consecutive days this week when he took Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase deep on Tuesday afternoon at Goodyear Stadium, but the veteran shortstop was more eager to discuss one of his teammates after the game.
That player? Jackson Chourio, unsurprisingly.
Adames said he was the first person Chourio saw Monday, when the 20 year old outfielder told him the news that he would be on the opening day roster. Adames also could tell by the smile on Chourio’s face what the moment meant.
“It’s amazing, “Adames said. “I wish I had that when I was 20, too. It’s a special moment for him and his family. And special for us too that we’re going to have a young guy who’s hungry to win and he’s talented. He’s going to help us in a lot of ways to win games, so happy to see him.
“When they told him the news, it was an amazing feeling. It gave me goosebumps because when I got the news, it always takes you back. It’s just amazing to see him and to see that smile on his face.”
Adames was asked following the Brewers’ 8-5 win, their fifth in a row in Cactus League play, how he felt Chourio has handled a pressure-packed spring.
“Pretty good. I think he’s been doing a good job,” Adames said. “He still has a lot of time to mature. He’s just 20. But he’s impressive, man. The speed, the bat speed that he has. He’s a talented guy. I’m happy to be on the field with him and to watch him do what he does this year and to see the hype that he’s got. I’m excited to see that.”
Adames was still beaming more than 24 hours after hearing reports from Chourio himself, though.
“It’s always amazing because that’s what we play for,” Adames said. “That’s what we dream about since we were kids. When you get that news, it’s just a different feeling, man. I don’t even have the words to explain how you feel. It’s incredible. It feels like a dream. It’s what you’ve been dreaming about every year since you were a kid. When it happens, it’s like, Wow.’ I don’t even know what to say.”
Eric Haase homers again
There isn’t anything more a player on the roster fringe can do to make a team than Eric Haase has this spring.
Haase homered again Tuesday, using his one at-bat to drive a pitch well out just right of straightaway center field.
It was the fourth homer for the veteran catcher, who is trying to push Milwaukee to keep three backstops with a .414 average and 1.366 OPS.
Gary Sanchez seems to have the backup catcher spot secured behind William Contreras. Haase is out of minor league options and would have to be exposed to waivers if not kept on the active roster.
“He’s been incredible and the way he’s done it is even more impressive,” Murphy said. “He’s helpful to everyone. He’s a great teammate. Special guy, man. Nobody here is ever going forget ‘Haasey’. He’s special once you run into him.”
Brewers announce Opening Day starter
In a surprise to nobody, Freddy Peralta will pitch opening day, Murphy casually confirmed Tuesday morning.
After that, it’s likely DL Hall will make the second start of the season on March 30 in New York. Hall has only made one career big-league start, which came in his MLB debut on August 13, 2022.
After that, Colin Rea, who allowed five runs on nine hits in 4 ⅔ innings Tuesday, is lined up to get the ball.
Quotable
“No.” - Murphy cracked when asked if he would like to be associated with bunting even when it leads to runs. Prior this spring, he had wondered aloud why people associated him with bunting.
Brewers make string of roster moves
The Brewers trimmed their list of players left in camp down to 33 healthy players.
Vinny Capra, Oliver Dunn, Owen Miller and Janson Junk were optioned to Class AAA Nashville on Tuesday morning.
Tyler Black, Robert Gasser and Jared Koenig, all of whom are not on the 40-man roster, were reassigned to minor league camp.
Of the group, perhaps the most notable cut is Miller, who played in 90 games for Milwaukee last season.
Murphy said he expects most players from that group to still make an impact on the Brewers in 2024 and many of them will do so early on. Gasser seems to be a prime candidate to do so when the Brewers play 26 games in 27 days beginning early April.
Coming up
Brewers vs. Giants, 8:10 p.m. Thursday. Milwaukee LHP Wade Miley vs. San Francisco TBA. Broadcast: Webcast – Brewers.com
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers 8, Guardians 5: Willy Adames homers, then heaps Jackson Chourio praise
