BREAKING: In a stunning announcement just moments ago, the Major League Baseball (MLB) declared Nick Kurtz of the Oakland Athletics as the unanimous choice for American League Rookie of the Year. The 22-year-old first baseman received all 30 first-place votes following an explosive season where he showcased a remarkable batting average of .290, hit 36 home runs, and drove in 86 RBIs.
Kurtz’s performance this season has been nothing short of extraordinary, with a stellar 1.002 OPS that ranks him third in the entire MLB, only behind superstars Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. Despite being called up in late April, which prevented him from qualifying for the batting title, Kurtz still managed to finish the season with an impressive 4.6 fWAR, placing him 25th among all players in 2025.
One of the most memorable moments of Kurtz’s season occurred on July 25 when he achieved a rare feat by hitting four home runs in a single game against the Houston Astros, becoming only the 20th player in MLB history to accomplish this milestone. His dominance continued as he recorded a two-homer game later in the season against the same team.
Kurtz led all rookies in home runs and RBIs, while also ranking second in on-base percentage and third in hits. His teammate, Jacob Wilson, finished second in the voting with 23 second-place votes, and Roman Anthony of the Boston Red Sox secured third place. Notably, twelve other players from the American League received votes, including notable names like Noah Cameron from the Kansas City Royals and Colson Montgomery from the Chicago White Sox, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
With this award, Kurtz earns a full year of service time under the current CBA regulations, although the Athletics will not gain an extra draft pick as he did not spend at least 172 days on the major league roster this season.
This announcement not only highlights Kurtz’s remarkable talent but also marks a significant moment for the Athletics as they aim to build their future around young stars. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how he will continue to develop in the seasons to come. Stay tuned for more updates on Kurtz and the upcoming MLB season!
