Get ready to be amazed because the baseball world has a new superstar, and his name is Nick Kurtz. His meteoric rise in the 2025 season has left fans and critics alike in awe, but the real question is: can he sustain this momentum in 2026? Let’s dive into the story of this breakout star, from his humble beginnings to his record-breaking achievements, and explore what the future might hold.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Was Nick Kurtz’s rapid ascent to the majors a stroke of genius or a risky gamble? Let’s start at the beginning.
Nick Kurtz, affectionately known as ‘Big Amish,’ was the fourth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Amateur Draft. After a standout three-year stint at Wake Forest University, Kurtz was drafted by the A’s, who clearly saw something special in him. Unlike many draft picks that come with uncertainty, Kurtz quickly proved he was the real deal. But how did he get here, and what made him stand out?
And this is the part most people miss: Kurtz’s journey to the majors wasn’t just about talent—it was about timing and strategy. After signing with the A’s on July 22, 2024, he was assigned to the Stockton Ports and later the Midland Rockhounds, playing just twelve minor league games in his first season out of college. Despite the limited experience, he earned an invitation to big-league spring training. Though he was sent down to AAA Las Vegas afterward, he lasted only twenty games before being called up on April 23, 2025. Some argue he didn’t need the extra time in the minors, but it was likely a service time decision. When he finally joined the majors, he was more than ready to make history.
2025: The Year of the Kurtz
Kurtz’s rookie season was nothing short of spectacular. Despite a brief stint on the Injured List with a hip flexor injury, he returned stronger than ever, quickly establishing himself as the most feared rookie in the league. 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 his most jaw-dropping moment came on July 25, when he went a perfect 6-for-6 with four home runs against the Astros in Houston. This feat made him the first A’s player in franchise history to hit four home runs in a game, the first rookie in MLB history to do so, and just the 20th player overall to achieve this milestone.
His final stats for the season are mind-boggling: in just 117 games, he hit 36 home runs, drove in 86 RBIs, batted .290 with a 1.002 OPS, and posted a .988 fielding percentage—an improvement over his minor league career best. These numbers earned him the unanimous American League Rookie of the Year award and the AL First Base Silver Slugger Award. Simply put, he was unstoppable.
2026: What’s Next for the Phenom?
The outlook for Kurtz’s sophomore season is undeniably bright. If he stays healthy, a 40-homer, 100-RBI season seems well within reach. As he continues to mature and refine his game—particularly by cutting down on his strikeouts (151 in his rookie season)—a .300 batting average is entirely attainable. Fans can expect to see him in his first All-Star Game in 2026, with more awards likely to follow.
But here’s the burning question: Can Nick Kurtz handle the pressure of being a superstar, or will the expectations weigh him down? Only time will tell. What do you think? Is Kurtz the future face of baseball, or is his success just a flash in the pan? Let us know in the comments below!