Sacramento A’s slugger Nick Kurtz rounds the bases after hitting one of his four home runs against the Houston Astros at Daiken Field in Houston on Jul 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

Nick Kurtz to Win the American League Rookie of the Year Award

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The 2025 American League Rookie of the Year will be officially announced this Monday, the 10th of November. It will be Nick Kurtz. It is a ‘fait accomply’ Nick Kurtz is the only MLB rookie in history to hit four home runs in a single game, achieving this feat on July 25, 2025, against the Houston Astros.

Had a marvelous rookie season. He hit .290, with 36 home runs and drove in 86 runs. The young first baseman for the A’s was one of just three players with at least 400 plate appearances and an OPS over 1,000, along with Silver Sluggers Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani.

Kurtz gave the A’s their second straight season with a Silver Slugger Award, after Brent Rooker won at DH in 2024. Before that, it was Eric Chávez in 2002. The potential for this 22-year-old, 6’5″, 240 lbs left-handed hitter is as high as the sky, as well as the odds for Nick to win the American League Rookie of the Year.

Kurtz’ chances of winning the Rookie of the Year are very close to 100% chance. I will say it is inevitable; there are no other rookies in 2025 in the American League with the impact of Kurtz. The largest salary given to an Athletics player is $67 million, for pitcher Luis Severino, a three-year deal in 2024.

In the case of Kurtz, A’s owner Mr. Fisher might need another loan to pay the star if Kurtz continues to be the player he seems to be. However, the good news for the A’s, Kurtz is projected to become a free agent after 2031, heading into age 29.

His contract with this A’s will not expire until then. He also received a $7 million signing bonus when he was drafted in 2024. His salary is part of his pre-arbitration contract with the Oakland Athletics. He also received a $7 million singing bonus.

Oakland Athletics to win the Rookie of the Year Award. José Canseco (1986), Mark McGwire (1987), Walt Weiss (1988), Ben Grieve (1992), Bobby Crosby (2004), Huston Street (2005), Andrew Bailey (2009)

Note: 21 players in Major League Baseball history have hit four home runs in a single game. Kurtz will join the group alongside some of the game’s luminaries, including these two: Lou Gehrig and Willie Mays.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

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