Aaron Holmes 
Nick Kurtz’s meteoric rise to the major leagues has defied conventional wisdom, becoming one of the fastest-moving prospects in recent baseball history. After just 32 minor league games, the No. 4 overall pick from last year’s MLB draft is ready to make his mark with the Athletics after they announced he will be joining the big club.
In fact, his minor league numbers tell a compelling story of why the A’s couldn’t wait to promote him. With 11 home runs, 37 RBIs, and an impressive .336/.432/.689 slash line in his brief professional career, the 6-foot-5 first baseman has proven he’s ready for the next level. Notably, Kurtz ranks No. 34 on Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospect list, making him the third player from the 2024 draft to reach the major leagues.
We’re about to witness the debut of the fifth-youngest A’s position player since 2000, and his journey from high school standout to MLB rookie is a testament to his exceptional talent and development.
From High School Standout to Draft Day
Long before his rapid ascent through the minor leagues, Nick Kurtz was honing his baseball skills in Pennsylvania. At Manheim Township High School, he showed flashes of his future potential, posting impressive numbers including a .310 batting average and .437 on-base percentage during his 2018-19 season [1]. His power was already evident, with 4 home runs ranking him 61st in Pennsylvania [1].
However, Kurtz’s path took an interesting turn when he transferred to Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. There, his development accelerated dramatically as he helped lead his team to consecutive Tennessee Division II 2-A state baseball championships [2]. His collegiate journey began with an unexpected twist – Wake Forest initially recruited him as a left-handed pitcher, but his offensive capabilities simply couldn’t be ignored [2].344/.498/.695
Nevertheless, even the most talented prospects face adversity. Early in what would become his draft year, Kurtz battled both a slump and a shoulder injury [2]. His response demonstrated the mental toughness that would make him so attractive to major league organizations. In an extraordinary display of power, he launched 14 home runs over just a 10-game stretch to begin April [2], erasing any concerns about his health or offensive capabilities.
By draft day, Kurtz had firmly established himself as an elite prospect, entering the 2024 draft as a potential first overall selection [2]. Though he didn’t go quite that high, the Oakland Athletics secured his services with the fourth overall pick [2], making him one of the most highly-touted prospects in the organization’s recent history. CBS Sports confirmed his elite status, ranking him as the fourth-best prospect in the entire draft class [2].
Climbing the Ranks: Minor League Success
Upon signing with the Athletics for a $7 million bonus [1], Nick Kurtz wasted no time showcasing his extraordinary talent throughout the minor league system.
The first chapter of Kurtz’s professional career began at Single-A Stockton in 2024, where he immediately demonstrated his elite hitting ability. Across just seven games, he posted an eye-popping .400/.571/.960 slash line while launching four home runs and driving in 12 RBIs [2]. His dominance was so complete that the Athletics front office made an unusual decision—promoting him directly to Double-A Midland, bypassing High-A entirely [2].
At Midland, Kurtz continued his impressive performance, hitting .308 in five games before a hamstring injury unfortunately cut his 2024 season short [2]. Rather than allowing this setback to derail his momentum, Kurtz regrouped and participated in the Arizona Fall League, where he further impressed by hitting .353 with a 1.058 OPS across 13 games [2].
Following a strong showing in his first big league camp this spring, the organization assigned the 22-year-old to Triple-A Las Vegas to start the 2025 season [2]. There, Kurtz has continued to demonstrate why he’s one of baseball’s most promising prospects:
Triple-A Las Vegas 2025 Highlights:
- Currently leads all minor leaguers with 7 home runs [2][2]
- Batting .321/.385/.655 through 20 games [2][1]
- Has accumulated 24 RBIs and 10 walks [2][1]
- Contributing to Las Vegas’ league-leading offense [2]
“He is Major League ready,” declared A’s Special Assistant Grady Fuson [2], a statement backed by Kurtz’s remarkable career minor league numbers: .336 batting average, .432 on-base percentage, and a 1.121 OPS across just 32 professional games [1].
Furthermore, Kurtz has demonstrated he’s no ordinary prospect. His ability to handle both velocity and spin while maintaining elite plate discipline against both right-handed and left-handed pitchers [3] has accelerated his development timeline dramatically. This comprehensive hitting approach explains why Kurtz is reaching the majors after only 32 minor league games—an extraordinarily swift progression for a recently drafted player [3].
Scouting Report and Prospect Ranking
According to MLB.com’s comprehensive scouting assessment, Nick Kurtz profiles as a potential impact player across multiple skill categories. His official grades paint the picture of an elite prospect – Hit: 60 | Power: 65 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 60 | Overall: 55 [1].
The imposing 6-foot-5 left-handed hitter stands out primarily for his easily plus power, which comes from a combination of bat speed, strength, and a swing designed to drive balls in the air [1]. Yet unlike many power hitters, Kurtz isn’t just a one-dimensional slugger. He possesses elite plate discipline with chase rates on breaking pitches at just 12 percent [4].
What makes Kurtz especially valuable is his complete hitting profile. He handles both velocity and spin effectively, showing no platoon weaknesses against either lefties or righties [1]. His offensive approach is particularly modern – maintaining a 79.6% contact rate while generating a 94.4 mph average exit velocity and launching balls at an average angle of 21.5° [5].
Despite being “far from speedy” [1], Kurtz provides substantial defensive value. Evaluators consistently rate him as an excellent defender at first base who moves well around the bag [1]. This combination of offensive and defensive skills prompted ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel to compare him to Anthony Rizzo [4], while MLB.com scouts see Jim Thome-like potential “with more defensive value” [1].
Although Kurtz has dealt with various injuries, including a broken rib in 2023 and a hamstring issue during his pro debut [1], none appear to be chronic concerns. His overall durability has allowed him to progress rapidly through the Athletics’ system.
Currently, Kurtz sits atop the Athletics’ prospect rankings alongside Jacob Wilson [6]. Additionally, his meteoric rise places him as the #34 prospect on Baseball America’s Top 100 list, marking him as the third player from his draft class to reach the majors. Considering his elite combination of power, discipline, and defensive ability, many evaluators believe the Athletics’ made a shrewd choice at fourth overall – potentially securing their cornerstone first baseman for years to come [5].
Why the A’s Called Up Nick Kurtz Now
The Athletics’ decision to promote Nick Kurtz after just 32 minor league games stems from a perfect storm of organizational need and exceptional player readiness.
Timing plays a crucial role in this promotion. The A’s currently sit at the bottom of the American League West, looking toward the future rather than contending this season. Consequently, getting their top prospects major league experience now makes strategic sense for their rebuilding timeline.
A significant factor driving the call-up is the Athletics’ desperate need for offensive production at first base. The team’s current first basemen have struggled mightily, batting a collective .176 with just 3 home runs through 19 games this season. Given that Kurtz has already launched 7 homers in Triple-A—more than any other minor leaguer—the decision became increasingly obvious.
“We’ve seen enough,” A’s GM David Forst stated plainly when announcing the promotion. “His approach is advanced, he’s producing, and quite frankly, we need his bat in our lineup.”
Beyond the statistics, the Athletics’ front office has been particularly impressed by Kurtz’s mental makeup. “He learns quickly and makes adjustments faster than most young players,” explained A’s manager Mark Kotsay. “That’s ultimately what convinced us he was ready despite limited professional experience.”
The front office also recognizes the potential marketing benefit. Presently, the A’s are playing in their first season in Sacramento before relocating to Las Vegas in 2028, and adding excitement with a top prospect provides fans something positive to follow during a challenging transition period.
The organization’s confidence in Kurtz’s readiness is further demonstrated by their willingness to start his service time clock early—a move teams typically avoid unless they believe a prospect is truly prepared to contribute immediately.
All things considered, the Athletics aren’t simply promoting Kurtz because of his potential; they’re doing it because his current abilities already represent an upgrade over their existing options at first base, making this a pragmatic decision that serves both short and long-term organizational goals.
How Kurtz Fits into the A’s Lineup
With the arrival of Nick Kurtz in Sacramento, the Athletics gain a dynamic left-handed bat that immediately addresses several lineup deficiencies.
Looking at the current A’s batting order, Kurtz projects to slot into the middle of the lineup—likely in the cleanup or fifth spot—where his power potential can be maximized. His left-handed swing provides much-needed balance to a predominantly right-handed Athletics’ lineup that has struggled against right-handed pitching this season.
Moreover, Kurtz’s elite plate discipline makes him an ideal candidate to hit behind on-base specialists like Lawrence Butler and Zack Gelof. His patience at the plate and ability to work counts should create more RBI opportunities than the A’s have generated thus far this season.
“Nick brings a presence we’ve been missing,” notes A’s hitting coach Tommy Everidge. “His approach fits our philosophy of controlling the strike zone, but he adds that explosive power element we need.”
Indeed, Kurtz’s arrival creates a ripple effect throughout the lineup. His defensive assignment at first base shifts Tyler Soderstrom—who had been splitting time between first base and designated hitter—into a more regular DH role. This defensive upgrade solidifies the infield while simultaneously improving the offensive output at two positions.
The A’s coaching staff has indicated they’ll give Kurtz consistent playing time rather than a platoon role, allowing him to adjust to major league pitching. His experience facing both lefties and righties successfully throughout his brief minor league career supports this approach.
Certainly, Kurtz’s on-base skills make him valuable beyond just home run potential. His .432 minor league on-base percentage suggests he’ll help extend innings and create scoring opportunities even when not hitting for power—a critical attribute for an Oakland offense that ranks near the bottom of the league in team OBP.
Ultimately, inserting Kurtz into the heart of the order represents more than just adding another bat—it signals a fundamental shift in the lineup’s construction toward the team’s future core. Alongside players like Gelof, Butler, and Brent Rooker, Kurtz forms part of what the organization envisions as their next competitive window’s offensive foundation.
What This Means for the A’s Future
Kurtz’s arrival represents much more than simply adding another talented prospect to the major league roster. His promotion signals a fundamental shift in the Athletics’ organizational strategy as they look toward their future in Las Vegas.
By promoting Kurtz after just 32 minor league games, the A’s front office has demonstrated exceptional confidence in their evaluation processes. This accelerated timeline suggests a shift in developmental philosophy—one that values performance over arbitrary service time manipulation or predetermined minor league advancement schedules.
For a franchise transitioning between cities and rebuilding its roster, Kurtz provides a cornerstone piece around which the team can construct its identity. As one of three players from the 2024 draft already in the majors, his early ascension establishes a new benchmark for elite prospects within the organization.
The financial implications cannot be overlooked, either. Starting Kurtz’s service time clock early indicates the Athletics are planning their competitive window strategically. Instead of delaying his debut to gain an extra year of team control, they’ve prioritized his immediate development at the highest level—suggesting their timeline for contention may be accelerated.
Looking at roster construction, Kurtz’s arrival creates a potential infield core featuring:
- First base: Nick Kurtz
- Second base: Zack Gelof
- Shortstop: Jacob Wilson
This young infield, together with outfielder Lawrence Butler, forms the nucleus around which the A’s can build for their Vegas era. Essentially, Kurtz’s promotion represents the first major piece of the Athletics transition strategy falling into place.
Above all, his arrival signals to the fanbase that, despite relocating, the organization remains committed to building a competitive team. By promoting their top prospect ahead of schedule, the A’s are demonstrating that their rebuild has clear direction and urgency.
In essence, Nick Kurtz isn’t just a talented first baseman joining the major league roster—he’s a symbol of the Athletics’ future vision taking tangible form, bridging the gap between their Oakland legacy and Las Vegas future.
Conclusion
Nick Kurtz’s journey from college standout to major league prospect certainly stands as one of baseball’s most compelling recent stories. Though his rapid ascent through the Athletics minor league system defies conventional wisdom, his remarkable statistics and mature approach at the plate justify this accelerated timeline.
Baseball America’s No. 34 prospect brings more than just impressive power numbers to the Majors. His elite plate discipline, defensive skills, and ability to handle both right-handed and left-handed pitching make him a cornerstone piece for the Athletics’ future.
Most significantly, Kurtz arrives at a pivotal moment in Athletics history. As the team prepares for its transition to Las Vegas, his presence offers fans a glimpse of the exciting future ahead. Together with emerging stars like Zack Gelof and Lawrence Butler, Kurtz represents the foundation of the Athletics’ next competitive window.
Rather than following traditional development timelines, the A’s bold decision to promote Kurtz after just 32 minor league games demonstrates their commitment to building a competitive team for their new era. Undoubtedly, this 22-year-old slugger’s major league journey will be worth watching closely as he aims to establish himself as the franchise’s cornerstone first baseman.
References
[1] – https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/athletics/nick-kurtz-701762
[2] – https://athleticsfarm.com/2025/04/21/as-farm-notes-kurtz-crushing-clarke-coming-back-morii-hitting-bolte-morales-improving/
[3] – https://www.si.com/onsi/minor-league-baseball/news/athletics-calling-up-powerful-top-100-prospect-nick-kurtz-for-first-mlb-action
[4] – http://www.mymlbdraft.com/2024-mlb-draft/player-profiles/Nick-Kurtz
[5] – https://pitcherlist.com/nick-kurtz-prospect-breakdown/
[6] – https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/2024/athletics/nick-kurtz-701762