Nick Kurtz: A Rookie Sensation Making MLB History in 2025

Nicholas Jeffrey Kurtz, the 22-year-old first baseman for the Oakland Athletics, has taken Major League Baseball (MLB) by storm in his rookie season of 2025. Drafted fourth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Wake Forest University, Kurtz has quickly established himself as a power-hitting phenom and a serious contender for the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year award. His meteoric rise from the minor leagues to MLB stardom, coupled with a historic four-home-run game, has made him one of the most exciting young talents in baseball. This article provides a comprehensive update on Kurtz’s 2025 season, detailing his performance, milestones, and impact on the Athletics.

Early Career and Path to the Majors

Born on March 12, 2003, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Kurtz’s baseball journey began at age four with T-ball and culminated in a standout high school career at Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he led his team to back-to-back state championships. At Wake Forest, Kurtz was a three-year standout, earning freshman All-American honors in 2022 (.338/.471/.637, 15 HRs) and first-team All-American honors in 2023 (.353/.527/.784, 24 HRs). In his junior year of 2024, he slashed .306/.531/.763 with 22 home runs, becoming Wake Forest’s all-time leader in walks (189).

Selected by the Oakland Athletics with the No. 4 pick in 2024, Kurtz signed for a $7 million bonus. He dominated in his brief minor league stint, hitting .368/.520/.763 with four home runs across 12 games at Single-A Stockton and Double-A Midland. His performance in the Arizona Fall League (.353/.450/.608) and a 1.040 OPS with seven home runs in 20 games at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2025 earned him a call-up to the majors on April 21, 2025, after just 32 minor league games.

MLB Debut and Early Struggles

Kurtz made his MLB debut on April 23, 2025, against the Texas Rangers, going 1-for-4 with an RBI single. His first home run came on May 13 against J.P. Feyereisen of the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, his initial 23 games were modest, with a .208 batting average, one home run, and a high strikeout rate, reflecting the adjustment to major league pitching. Despite early struggles, his plate discipline (5:5 BB:K in a five-game stretch) showed promise.

Breakout Performance and Power Surge

Kurtz’s power stroke ignited in May, and by June, he was a force at the plate. Over a 39-game span, he slashed .319/.404/.792, hitting 18 home runs and 12 doubles while driving in 43 RBIs. His ability to hit to all fields—29% pull, 49% up the middle, 21% opposite field—demonstrated his versatility and elite bat speed (77.7 mph, well above the MLB average of 71.6 mph). His 15.2% barrel rate and 91.9 mph average exit velocity ranked in the 94th and 84th percentiles, respectively.

Notable performances include:

June 16, 2025: A 447-foot, two-run walk-off home run against Houston Astros’ Bryan Abreu, the longest walk-off homer by an A’s player since Statcast began in 2015.
June 28, 2025: A three-run homer at Yankee Stadium, contributing to a 7-0 Athletics victory.
July 25, 2025: A historic four-home-run game against the Houston Astros, becoming the first rookie in MLB history to achieve this feat. Kurtz tied Shawn Green’s 2002 record for total bases in a game (19), hitting homers off four different pitchers in a 15-3 rout.

Recent Highlights

Kurtz’s recent performances have solidified his status as a rising star:

June 3, 2025: Went 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, three runs, and two RBIs in an 8-2 win over Cleveland.
June 29, 2025: Hit his 11th home run in a 22-game span, a three-run shot at Yankee Stadium.
July 26, 2025: In a series-opening win over the Astros, went 3-for-5 with two doubles, tying Ted Williams for an incredible MLB rookie record.
Six-Game Hitting Streak (July 2025): Went 11-for-23 (.478) with four home runs, three doubles, and eight RBIs, boosting his season slash line to .270/.342/.591 with 18 home runs and 47 RBIs through 60 games.

Injury Setback

On May 28, 2025, Kurtz was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hip flexor strain sustained while running to third base against the Philadelphia Phillies. The injury interrupted a hot streak where he went 7-for-17 (.412) with four home runs over five games. Manager Mark Kotsay expressed optimism for a short recovery, stating, “We’re hoping it’s not a long timetable.” Kurtz returned on June 9 but initially struggled, hitting .142 (3-for-21) with no walks. However, his power soon resurfaced, with five homers during a nine-game homestand.

Statistical Overview (as of July 26, 2025)

Games: 60
Batting Average: .270
On-Base Percentage: .342
Slugging Percentage: .591
Home Runs: 18
RBIs: 47
Doubles: 12
Stolen Bases: 1
Slash Line (Last 39 Games): .319/.404/.792
Statcast Metrics: 15.2% barrel rate, 91.8 mph average exit velocity

Impact and Future Outlook

Kurtz’s rapid ascent has drawn comparisons to Jim Thome due to his size (6’5”, 240 lbs), power, and plate discipline. His ability to hit for average (.344 in the minors, .333 at Wake Forest) and power (18 HRs in 60 MLB games) makes him a cornerstone for the Athletics’ future, especially as they prepare to move to Las Vegas. Despite a high strikeout rate, his 11:28 BB:K ratio over his last 21 games shows improving discipline.

Defensively, Kurtz primarily plays first base, though the Athletics have experimented with a rotation involving Tyler Soderstrom and Brent Rooker at first base, designated hitter, and left field. His lack of athleticism and speed (only one stolen base) limits his versatility, but his bat more than compensates.

Kurtz’s historic four-homer game and consistent power output have made him a fan favorite, earning him the nickname “Big Amish” among teammates. His performance positions him as a frontrunner for AL Rookie of the Year, with analysts praising his ability to punish pitches across the plate.

Conclusion

Nick Kurtz’s 2025 season has been a remarkable blend of raw power, clutch hitting, and historic milestones. From a lightning-fast promotion to the majors to etching his name in the MLB record books, Kurtz has proven he belongs among baseball’s elite. While a brief injury setback tested his resilience, his return to form has solidified his role as a key piece of the Athletics’ lineup. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Kurtz to see if he can maintain his torrid pace and lead Oakland to a brighter future.