Get ready to be amazed! Nick Kurtz, the breakout sensation of 2025, is the focus of our season review. You've likely heard the buzz around 'Big Amish,' and trust me, it's not going away anytime soon. Let's dive into his stellar season and what 2026 might hold.
How did he become an A's player?
Nick Kurtz was the fourth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Amateur Draft. He honed his skills at Wake Forest University for three years, leaving after his Junior season. While draft picks can be unpredictable, the A's knew what they were getting with Kurtz, and he proved them right quickly.
What were the initial expectations?
Kurtz signed with the A's on July 22, 2024, and was initially assigned to the Stockton Ports in the California League, then the Midland Rockhounds for the rest of the season. He played in only twelve minor league games in his first season after college. This was enough to earn him an invitation to big-league spring training. After spring training, he was sent to AAA Las Vegas, where he spent only twenty games before being called up to the majors on April 23, 2025. Some wondered if he even needed the extra time in Vegas, but it was likely a service time decision. When he got the call, he was ready.
2025: The Year of the Rookie
About a month after his call-up, he spent ten days on the Injured List (IL) due to a hip flexor injury, but he returned even stronger. This marked his emergence as the most feared rookie in the big leagues. He was named MLB player of the week twice, AL Rookie of the Month in June and July, and American League Player of the Month in July. But this was just a prelude to the awards he would receive at the end of the season. On July 25, Kurtz made history by going a perfect 6-for-6 with four home runs against the Astros in Houston. He became the first A's player in franchise history with a four-homer game, the first rookie in MLB history with a four-homer game, and the 20th player overall to achieve this feat.
Kurtz's final stats for the season are incredible. In just 117 games, he hit thirty-six home runs, drove in eighty-six runs, and batted .290 with a 1.002 OPS. He was the unanimous American League Rookie of the Year and also received the AL First Base Silver Slugger Award. Adding to his impressive season, he recorded a .988 fielding percentage, surpassing his previous best in the minors.
2026: What's Next?
The outlook for Nick Kurtz' sophomore season is incredibly promising. If he stays healthy, a 40-homer, 100 RBI season seems highly likely. As he matures and reduces his strikeouts (151 in his rookie season), a .300 batting average is easily within reach. I anticipate seeing him in his first All-Star game in 2026 and collecting even more awards at the end of the season.
But here's where it gets controversial... Could Kurtz become one of the all-time greats? What adjustments will he need to make to maintain his success? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
