Nick Kurtz Wins AL Rookie of the Year in Unanimous Decision

UPDATE: Oakland Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz has been named the unanimous choice for the American League Rookie of the Year, the league announced Monday night. At just 22 years old, Kurtz dominated the season, securing 30 first-place votes after an impressive performance that included a batting average of .290, 36 home runs, and 86 RBIs.

Kurtz’s remarkable season also featured a stellar 1.002 OPS, ranking him third in all of Major League Baseball, behind superstars Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. Although he was called up in late April, preventing him from qualifying for the batting title, he still managed to rank 25th (4.6) in fWAR for 2025, showcasing his value to the team.

His most memorable moment came on July 25 when he achieved the extraordinary feat of hitting four home runs in a single game against the Houston Astros, becoming only the 20th player in MLB history to accomplish this milestone. Kurtz also had another standout game later in the season, hitting two home runs against the same team.

Kurtz finished the season leading all rookies in both home runs and RBIs, while also ranking second in on-base percentage and third in hits. His teammate Jacob Wilson finished in second place with 23 second-place votes, and Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony came in third.

Twelve other American League players also received votes, including Noah Cameron from the Kansas City Royals and Colson Montgomery from the Chicago White Sox, who finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Due to new rules implemented in the current CBA, Kurtz will receive a full year of service time for winning the award, although the Athletics will not gain an extra draft pick since he was not on the major league roster for at least 172 days.

This recognition solidifies Kurtz’s status as one of the brightest young talents in baseball, setting the stage for an exciting future with the Athletics. Fans and analysts alike are already buzzing about what’s next for this rising star. Don’t miss the latest updates on Kurtz and the Athletics as they gear up for the upcoming season!