UPDATE: Oakland Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz has been named the American League Rookie of the Year after a stunning season, the league confirmed on Monday night. The 22-year-old star earned a unanimous decision, securing all 30 first-place votes thanks to his impressive performance that included a batting average of .290, 36 home runs, and 86 RBIs.
Despite being called up in late April, Kurtz excelled, finishing third in MLB with a remarkable 1.002 OPS, trailing only superstars Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. His late entry did not hinder his impact, ranking 25th in fWAR at 4.6 for the 2025 season.
The highlight of his season came on July 25, when Kurtz made history by hitting four home runs in a single game against the Houston Astros, becoming just the 20th player in history to achieve this feat. He also had another two-homer game against the Astros later in the season, solidifying his status as a remarkable talent.
Kurtz’s excellence outshone his teammate Jacob Wilson, who received 23 second-place votes, and Roman Anthony of the Boston Red Sox, who finished third. Additionally, 12 other American League players received votes, including Noah Cameron of the Kansas City Royals and Colson Montgomery from the Chicago White Sox, who took fourth and fifth place, respectively.
In a significant shift from previous years, Kurtz will receive a full year of service time for this accolade due to the rules established in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement. However, the Athletics will not gain an extra draft pick as he was not on the major league roster for at least 172 days.
Fans and analysts alike are buzzing about Kurtz’s future and what this Rookie of the Year win means for the Athletics as they look to build on his success. With a promising trajectory ahead, all eyes will be on Kurtz as the 2026 MLB season approaches.