Rookie athlete Nick Kurtz leaving an immediate mark in his inaugural season
Nick Kurtz Shines Bright for Oakland Athletics
Nick Kurtz, the promising first baseman for the Oakland Athletics, has been making waves in Major League Baseball (MLB) with his powerful left-handed hitting and impressive rookie season in 2025[1][2].
Drafted fourth overall in the 2024 MLB draft after an outstanding college career at Wake Forest, Kurtz has quickly established himself as a key offensive player for the Athletics[2]. His impressive debut saw him accumulate 25 home runs and maintain one of the highest OPS ratings in the MLB since May[1][4].
Kurtz's impact on the team has been significant, with highlights including winning American League Player of the Week in July 2025 and setting a record-breaking four home runs in a single game on July 25[2][5]. He also won the American League Player of the Month award in July, demonstrating an extraordinary slugging percentage of 1.000 for the month[3].
Despite some luck in his performance, as indicated by a higher unadjusted contact score than his adjusted score, Kurtz has been quite productive in his rookie season[1]. His power hitting is recovering after a slight drought, partly attributed to using a special "Iron Man bat," which coincided with renewed success at the plate[4].
Comparisons have been drawn between Kurtz and former A's first baseman Matt Olson, with Olson offering more defensive/baserunning value over a greater number of plate appearances[6]. However, Kurtz's potential includes winning home run titles and being a consistent power source at least through his twenties[7].
Kurtz's performance has been consistent whether at home or on the road[6]. However, he has struggled against left-handed pitchers, with lower batting, on-base, and slugging percentages compared to right-handed pitchers[6]. He has a high strikeout rate (30.3%) and a room for improvement in his walk rate (11.9%)[6].
The Athletics may need someone, perhaps de Vries, to supplant Kurtz as their most valuable all-around player[8]. Despite this, Kurtz's potential is undeniable, and he is poised to be a cornerstone of the Athletics' lineup for the rest of the 2025 season[1][3].
In summary, Nick Kurtz is an emerging star for the Athletics whose powerful and consistent hitting has already broken records and earned league-wide recognition, making him a critical factor in the team’s offensive prospects during the remainder of 2025.
[1] ESPN
[2] MLB.com
[3] Sports Illustrated
[4] The Athletic
[5] CBS Sports
[6] Fangraphs
[7] Baseball America
[8] Athletics Nation
- The promising athletes, Shea Langeliers, Brent Rooker, and Leodalis de Vries, might potentially complement Nick Kurtz's performance in Oakland Athletics' baseball, considering his impressive rookie season and slugging prowess within the Major League Baseball (MLB).
- NCAA athletes like Jacob Wilson and Lawrence Butler, who also showcase exceptional hitting talents, could maybe learn from Nick Kurtz's experiences in MLB sports, particularly his powerful left-handed swing and successful debut with the Oakland Athletics.
