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Nick Kurtz Crowned Al Rookie Of The Year After Historic Season

Bonisiwe Shabane
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nick kurtz crowned al rookie of the year after historic season

Nick Kurtz was unanimously named American League Rookie of the Year by the BBWAA after what was a historic season in the green and gold. Kurtz becomes the ninth A’s player ever to win the award and the first Athletic since Andrew Bailey in 2009. Alongside Kurtz, Jacob Wilson came in 2nd with 107 votes. That was ahead of Roman Anthony (BOS), Noah Cameron (KCR) and Colson Montgomery (CWS). Neither Denzel Clarke nor Jacob Lopez placed, but Luis Morales earned one vote from a local writer. He now joins the likes of Harry Byrd (1952), Jose Canseco (1986), Mark McGwire (1987), Walt Weiss (1988), Ben Grieve (1998), Bobby Crosby (2004), Huston Street (2005), and Andrew Bailey (2009) as A’s to...

When Kurtz was called up ahead of his debut on April 23, he played just 32 games in the minor leagues since being drafted in 2024, and it took him just 283 days to... The “Big Amish” immediately found his groove and would go on to lead all rookies in home runs (36), RBIs (86), extra-base hits (64), runs (90), slugging percentage (.619) and OPS (1.002). According to MLB.com, Kurtz becomes “the eighth rookie since 1901 to post an OPS over 1.000 (min. 400 plate appearances) and first since Aaron Judge in 2017.” Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz has won the American League Rookie of the Year award. (Michaela Schumacher / MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Nick Kurtz did not crack the A’s roster for opening day. He did not hit a home run until his 17th big league game, and didn’t connect on his second until nearly a month deep into his big league career. At the time, it looked like his teammate, shortstop Jacob Wilson, was the early heavy favorite for an award that wasn’t at all on Kurtz’s mind at the time. The young first baseman was just worried about proving he was worthy of a roster spot. On Monday — six months later — he was unanimously voted the American League’s Rookie of the Year, after completing one of the most impressive rookie seasons in baseball history. He’d already earned the American League Silver Slugger award at first base the week prior.

“I’ve always had that confidence in myself, that I’m able to do that — be the centerpiece of a lineup, and help that lineup score a bunch of runs,” Kurtz told The Athletic in... “I think having that confidence in yourself is huge in this game.” A well-deserved honor for the A’s rookie first baseman The American League Rookie of the Year winner was announced Monday evening, and to no one’s surprise A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz took home the award this year, the first Athletic to win it... It was a unanimous pick as Kurtz secured all 30 first-place votes. That caps a historic rookie season for the young slugger.

After getting drafted fourth overall just last year, Kurtz rocketed up through the minors and played just 33 games on the farm before getting called up. The lefty masher impressed almost immediately en route to hitting 36 home runs in his first taste of the big leagues, the second-most in baseball among first basemen. He wasn’t just a power threat though as he also hit .290 and Kurtz’s win didn’t come alone either. Teammate Jacob Wilson, who looked like the early favorite for the award before Kurtz’s promotion, came in second place, the first time teammates have finished 1-2 in Rookie of the Year voting since 1984: Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz waits for the pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Tuesday, Sept.

23, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall, file) Atlanta Braves’ Drake Baldwin (30) celebrates Marcell Ozuna (20) in the second inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, file) Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson dives by can’t reach a ball hit for a single by Pittsburgh Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, Sept.

19, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file) Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton (22) throws against the New York Mets during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, file)

Athletics slugger Nick Kurtz was accompanied by a good friend as he joined one exclusive club on Monday night. Nick Kurtz is earning hardware for his impressive rookie campaign with the Athletics in West Sacramento. The 22-year-old domineering first baseman on Monday was named the American League Rookie of the Year for 2025 after clubbing 36 home runs with 86 RBI while batting .290/.383/.619. Kurtz won the award unanimously with 30 first-place votes, becoming the 14th player in AL history to do so. He also was recognized Nov. 7 as the best hitting first baseman in baseball when MLB managers and coaches voted him to the Silver Slugger Award for the position after leading AL first baseman in home runs and OPS...

He was the first rookie to win a Silver Slugger since José Abreu in 2014. His 36 homers this year were the second most in a season for an A’s rookie behind Mark McGwire’s 49 in 1987. His season was highlighted with one of the best single-game performances of all-time when he went 6-for-6 with 4 home runs in a 15-3 win over the Houston Astros July 25. He became the first rookie to ever hit four homers in a game and matched the Major League record with 19 total bases in one contest. Star Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz won the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year award in a unanimous decision, MLB announced Monday. Nick Kurtz is your 2025 American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year!

pic.twitter.com/vzz0uIaidS With our All Access Daily newsletter, stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Kurtz, the ninth Rookie of the Year in Athletics franchise history and first since pitcher Andrew Bailey in 2009, beat out his A's teammate, shortstop Jacob Wilson, and Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony... Kurtz, whom the Athletics selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, absolutely raked over his first 117 big-league games after being the sixth-fastest player to reach the majors in franchise history following his promotion from Triple-A Las... LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa.

— Athletics first baseman and Lancaster County native Nick Kurtz was the unanimous winner of the American League Rookie of the Year on Monday night, according to Major League Baseball. Kurtz won the award over teammate Jacob Wilson and Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony. He originally started the season in AAA Las Vegas but was called up to the big leagues on April 23. Kurtz, also known as "The Big Amish," attended Manheim Township High School, Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN and went to college at Wake Forest before he started his MLB journey. He was selected 4th overall by the Athletics in the 2024 MLB Draft. Kurtz had an immediate impact in the Athletics lineup, putting together one of the best rookie seasons in franchise history.

In 117 games, Kurtz put up a .290 batting average with 36 homeruns and 86 RBIs, leading the MLB in homeruns and RBIs among rookies. He also led all rookies in extra-base hits, runs, OPS and slugging percentage. He is the 14th unanimous AL Rookie of the Year selection and the second in franchise history, joining Mark McGwire in 1987. Kurtz is also the first Athletic to take home the award since Andrew Bailey in 2009. Athletics slugger Nick Kurtz was a unanimous choice for American League Rookie of the Year, and Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin won the National League award. The 22-year-old Kurtz batted .290 with 36 homers, 86 RBIs and a 1.002 OPS in 117 games this year.

The first baseman became the eighth rookie since 1901 to finish with an OPS over 1.000 while making at least 400 plate appearances. A’s teammate Jacob Wilson was second in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America that was announced on Monday night. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony was third. Baldwin, 24, stepped up for Atlanta after No. 1 catcher Sean Murphy was sidelined by a cracked rib in spring training. While Murphy was limited by injuries for much of the year, Baldwin hit .274 with 19 homers, 80 RBIs and an .810 OPS in 124 games.

Baldwin’s win secured an extra selection for Atlanta after the first round in next year’s amateur draft under the collective bargaining agreement’s prospect promotion incentive.

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