Barracuda draw first blood with 2-0 shutout win over Reign in Game 1 of best of three series

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San Jose Barracuda goalie Yaroslav Askarov warms up before Game 1 of the Pacific Division first round series against the Ontario Reign at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday APR 24, 2025. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Pavol Regenda scored the eventual game winning goal early in the third period as the sixth seeded San Jose Barracuda shutout the third seeded Ontario Reign 2-0 in Game 1 of the best of three Pacific Division first round series on Thursday evening at Crypto.com Arena.

San Jose leads the series 1-0 and have two chances to advance to the second round of the playoffs.

An uneventful opening 20 minutes featured a scoreless period. A total of three power plays, two by San Jose and one by Ontario, proved to be an exhibition of infertility as neither team could take advantage. It was tough for both teams to establish any type of flow offensively as the Barracuda outshot the Reign 9-8.

The Cuda’s Yaroslav Askarov and the Reign’s Phoenix Copley both made a big save in the final 30 seconds of the first period. First Askarov made a pad save on a Jack Studnicka at the 19:30 mark and Copley challenged Donovon Houle’s wrist shot with a shoulder save with two seconds remaining in the opening frame.

The second period was even less entertaining than the first one. Each team had an abbreviated power play but once again zeros remained in the goal column of the scoreboard. Ontario outshot San Jose 8-7. The best chance came with 31 seconds remaining in the middle frame.

A bad change by the Barracuda led to a breakaway attempt for Studnicka but he chipped the puck wide of the net as Askarov came out from the crease and challenged the shot that affected Studnicka being able to put it on net.

San Jose broke the deadlock early in the third period. Luca Cagnoni found Ethan Frisch along the right point. Frisch skated in a sent a wrist shot on that was redirected by Regenda who was parked in front of the crease for his first goal of the series at the 7:12 mark.

The Barracuda doubled its lead on the power play just over a minute later. Cagnoni led a counterattack from inside his own zone when he found Colin White up in the neutral zone. White led a three-on-one odd man rush and sent a cross-ice pass over to Filip Bystedt who buried a wrist shot past Copley for his first goal of the series at the 8:38 mark.

Ontario was held without a shot on goal in the final frame despite starting the period with a four-minute power play when Zach Ostapchuk went into the sin bin for high sticking 21 seconds in. However, Samuel Fagemo canceled out the majority of the power play when he took a slashing penalty at the 1:35 mark. It was the first time in franchise history San Jose held an opponent without a shot in a third period.

Askarov finished the game stopping all 16 shots he faced for his first career Calder Cup Playoffs shutout. Copley made 23 saves on 25 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-7 on the power play. Ontario was 0-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Askarov (16 SV, 16 SA) 2) Regenda (1G, 0A) 3) Bystedt (1G,0A).

Barracuda left winger Danil Gushchin was a last-minute scratch by Cuda head coach John McCarthy as he suffered an illness to keep him out of the lineup.

UP NEXT: Game 2 of the first round series continues on Saturday April 26th at 6:00pm at Crypto.com Arena.

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Duca Thu Apr 24, 2025: Giants win another comeback game against Brewers

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San Francisco Giants Mike Yastrzemski (right) is congratulated by third base coach Matt Williams (left) after hitting a third inning home run against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Apr 24, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Duca:

#1 For the third time in four days the the San Francisco Giants came back from behind late in the ball game and the Milwaukee Brewers furnished the mistakes that help the Giants win three out of the last four games.

#2 The Giants just edged out the Brewers on Friday 6-5. Brewers starter Tobias Myers who was making his Brewers debut and pitched in a short start. The Brewers reliever Tyler Alexander couldn’t hold the Brewer lead in the eighth inning as the Giants picked up two runs that proved to be the game winner.

#3 Giants starter Landon Roupp whose had a couple of good outings struggled in this one pitching 3.2 innings giving up six hits, four earned runs, walked three batters and struck out two. Michael kind of get your evaluation on Roupp’s outing today?

#4 In the eighth inning the Giants Mike Yastrzemski hit a into a fielders choice to second it allowed Tyler Fitzgerald to score tying the game at 5-5. Then Willy Adames hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Christian Koss to score which gave the Giants the 6-5 lead.

#5 For the second consecutive game Camilo Doval shut the door on the Brewers although he gave up one hit and left runners on at first and second Doval got three hitters to fly out and put away the game. For Doval it’s his fifth save. Do you see him coming back with more confidence in the relief role now?

#6 Next up for the Giants Bruce Bochy and the Texas Rangers. The Rangers took a tough loss in Sacramento to the Sacramento A’s on Wednesday night 5-2 the loss evened the series up between the two clubs. The Rangers are a first place club but can struggle on the road as they are 4-7 when away from Arlington. Starting pitchers for Friday at Oracle Park for the Rangers Nathan Eovaldi RHP (1-2 ERA 2.61) for the Giants RHP Justin Verlander who is looking for his first win after five appearances. Verlander (0-1 ERA 5.47) first pitch 7:15 pm PDT at Oracle Park.

Michael Duca does the San Francisco Giants podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants come back to win wacky thriller and series over Brewers 6-5

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San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman (right) is congratulated by teammate Jung Hoo Lee (51) after hitting a bottom of the fifth inning home run against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Apr 24, 2025 (AP News photo)

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Milwaukee Brewers 5 (13-13)

San Francisco Giants 6 (17-9)

Win: Tyler Rogers (2-0)

Loss: Tyler Alexander (1-2)

Save: Camilo Doval (5)

Time: 2:50

Attendance: 28,592

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants came out on top in a wacky and semi-wild series finale at Oracle Park on Thursday, as they picked up a dejected Landen Roupp, and came back to beat the Brewers and take the series with a big 6-5 win.

Landen Roupp led the Giants out onto the field on a gray and foggy day at the ballpark, and as this writer would describe it: a beautiful and tranquil day for baseball. Unfortunately, things didn’t start well for Roupp. He walked Brice Turang to start the game, and Sal Frelick singled to right to put runners at the corners with nobody out.

You know the old saying: When you come to the ballpark, you may see something you’ve never seen before. Christian Yelich came to the plate, and knocked in the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to center field. However, Freclick was subsequently doubled off at first base, as he took off on the pitch and was all the way around second when the ball was caught by center-fielder Jung Hoo Lee. It was just your routine sacrifice double play.

It was very much a break for Roupp, who was getting hit hard. Rhys Hoskins and Jake Bauers both singled, but the double play allowed Roupp to get out of it without giving up more than one run.

On the mound for the Brewers was Tobias Myers, who was making his 2025 debut. As Steven Rissotto, the host of Rizzocast, and a producer for 95.7 The Game, noted, the Giants have tended to respond to the other team scoring, and that is exactly what they did in the bottom of the first.

Mike Yazstrzemski led off the inning with a base-hit to center and got to second on a balk when Myers tripped as he started his delivery from the set. Willy Adames grounded out, but Lee lined a double into the corner down the right field line to bring in Yaz and tie the game.

The Brewers got their lead right back, as Roupp’s struggles carried over into the second inning. It was actually quite simple. Garrett Mitchell walked to start the inning; stole second; got to third on a groundout; and scored on a wild pitch.

Mike Yastrzemski led off the bottom of the third, and he tied the game with a home run to the green tin atop the 24-foot-high Willie Mays wall in right. The Giants were in a great position to get their first lead of the day, as Adames and Lee walked, but Mitchell was able to wiggle his way out of it with the game still tied.

The Giants were unable to take the lead, and the Brewers made them pay in the top of the fourth. The Brewers had runners at the corners with one out for Eric Haase, who laid down a safety squeeze, but after Matt Chapman came in from third to field it, his throw was dropped by LaMonte Wade at first, and both runners scored to give Milwaukee a 4-2 lead.

Brice Turang singled Haase over to third, and up came Sal Frelick, who knocked in Haase with a chopper along the first base line to make it 5-2. Wade fielded the ball, and threw to second-baseman Tyler Fitzgerald, but Frelick was called safe by First Base Umpire Alex MacKay.

The Brewers had a 5-2 lead, and they had runners at first and second with one out. The Brewers were poised to blow this one open just as they did on Tuesday. However, the Giants challenged MacKay’s call at first, and it was overturned for a much-needed second out.

That did it for Roupp, and Bob Melvin brought in Spencer Bivens. Bivens’ first pitch to Christian Yelich was a cutter on the inside corner for a called strike, and Turang stole third. However, the Giants challenged the call by Third Base Umpire Brian Walsh, and the Giants were able to overturn back-to-back calls on back-to-back pitches for the final two outs of the inning.

That stymied the momentum for the Brewers, and eventually proved to be a massive turning point in this game.

The Giants were unable to do anything with a two-out rally in the bottom of the fourth, but they struck in the bottom of the fifth against Abner Uribe. Lee walked to lead off the inning, and Matt Chapman hit a two-run home run to right-center to send a message and make it 5-4.

The Brewers took their 5-4 lead into the bottom of the eighth, as they brought in their left-hander, Tyler Alexander. Tyler Fitzgerald worked a walk to start the inning, and Wilmer Flores pinch-hit and lined a base-hit the other way to right to put runners on the corners with nobody out.

Luis Matos grounded out, and then Yastrzemski fouled off three-straight two-strike pitches from Alexander. Yaz then hit a ground ball to Durang at second, who was playing in along with the rest of the Brewers’ infield. Fitzgerald came home, but Durang’s rushed throw was high, and Fitzgerald scored to tie the game.

Brewers Manager Pat Murphy brought in Trevor Megill to face Adames. Adames worked the count full, and then hit a line drive right to left-fielder Christian Yelich, who was trying to position himself to make the catch and make a throw home to cut pinch-runner Christian Koss at the plate. However, Yelich dropped the ball, and Koss scored to give the Giants their first lead of the day.

Following his emergency save last night, Camilo Doval was summoned by his skipper, Bob Melvin, to close things out again today. However, things did not start well for Doval, who walked pinch-hitter Caleb Durbin on four pitches to start the inning, and fell behind 2-0 to Turang.

You couldn’t help but harkin back to last season, when Doval, as the full-time closer, had his ninth inning implosions. Doval was once again entrusted with picking up the save, and he was once again about to implode.

We have already seen numerous examples early on of how different 2025 has been than 2024 for the Giants, and we were about to see it again. After Patrick Bailey, who had just entered the game to catch, went out to talk to Doval, Doval settled down to retire Turang and Frelick.

Up came Yelich, who lined a base-hit to center to move the tying run to second. It wasn’t going to be easy, but Doval got Rhys Hoskins to fly out to center, and everyone went home happy.

The Giants are back to their season-high eight games over .500 at 17-9. This was their eighth comeback win of the season, and their third win when trailing after seven innings.

Through all of the madness, it was Tyler Rogers who got the win. Tyler Alexander took the loss, and Camilo Doval notched his fifth save, tying Ryan Walker. However, Bob Melvin was quick to stress that Walker would still be the guy in a potential save situation Friday night.

Speaking of Friday night, Bruce Bochy’s Rangers are coming in for a 2010 World Series rematch, and it will be a weekend of old friends and memories. Former Giant Joc Pederson will also make the trip with the Rangers, but most importantly, Brandon Crawford will have his official retirement ceremony before the game on Saturday.

Justin Verlander (0-1. 5.47 ERA), who will remain on the opposite end of Bruce Bochy, will take the ball for the Giants Friday night, and look for his first win in the orange and black. The veteran right-hander, Nathan Evoldi (1-2, 2.64 ERA) will make the start for Texas.

First pitch will be at the accustomed Friday night time of 7:15 p.m.

Headline Sports podcast Jessica Kwong: NFL draft kicks off Thursday

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Heisman Trophy Award winner and former Colorado Buffaloes corner back/ wide receiver Travis Hunter is favored to be the number one draft pick by the Tennessee Titans as the NFL draft kicks off Thu Apr 24, 2025 in Green Bay (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Jessica Kwong:

#1 Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that he’s working on some “pretty substantive trades” but did not discuss details who he’s shopping and who he’s interested in obtaining. The Cowboys want to get some quality from their current ten selections as the go through seven rounds this Thursday through Sunday at the NFL draft.

#2 Cleveland Browns and New York Giants are trying to see whose available in the trade market in the early stages of the draft. The Tennessee Titans announced they will not be accepting any offers for their first overall pick. Meanwhile the Browns have the second pick and the New York Giants have the third pick.

#3 The Tennessee Titans are going to budge on getting the No. 1 draft pick this Thursday. Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said that the Titans have got offers from other NFL teams and they will hang onto their number one draft pick.

#4 The last regular game of the NFL season was back on January 5th and after all this time the San Francisco 49ers still have not signed quarterback Brock Purdy, Purdy does not have a long term extension but he’s been working out and doing voluntary practices and exercises with the 49ers with a group of players.

#5 In this week’s draft the Las Vegas Raiders are under pressure to make the right picks. The Raiders have been suffering the last few years and hope they can right the ship. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty has been named the top candidate for the Raiders first round pick. Jeanty is a Heigman Trophy finalist and he’s been compared to the Philadelphia Eagles Saquon Barkley.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports podcasts every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips Thu Apr 24, 2025: Giants four run sixth enough to get by Brewers 4-2

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San Francisco Giants second baseman Christian Koss (left) and shortstop Willy Adames (2) both jump for joy after the Giants defeated the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Apr 23, 2025 in game 3 of the four game series (San Francisco Giants X photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1  Wilmer Flores’ two run single helped the San Francisco Giants get back in the drivers seat scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 on Wednesday night.

#2 Jung Hoo Lee remained consistent at the plate with three hits and the Giants record against right handed pitching improved to 14-2 which leads Major League Baseball.

#3 The Giants starter Logan Webb improved his record to 3-1 and he out pitched Brewer starter Freddy Peralta who dropped his record to 2-2. Webb pitched 6.1 innings, striking out six batters, walking three and dropped his ERA to 1.98.

#4 Giants reliever Ryan Walker got into a base loaded jam and the Brewers were able to score two runs off Walker in the ninth. With the score 4-2 Giants reliever Camilo Doval came in and got the last two out and picked up his fourth save of the campaign.

#5 Game 4 concludes this series the Brewers will be going with starter RHP Tobias Myers (season debut) he’ll be matched up against RHP Landen Roupp (2-1 ERA 4.09) first pitch at 12:45pm PDT at Oracle Park.

Morris Phillips does the SF Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Langeliers Goes 4-for-4, Kurtz Debuts as A’s Down Rangers 5-2

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Nick Kurtz after his first major league hit on Wednesday night. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The A’s evened the series with the Texas Rangers on Wednesday evening at Sutter Health Park, powered in part by Nick Kurtz’s RBI single in his MLB debut, as they defeated the Rangers 5-2.

J.P. Sears earned the win for the A’s, tossing five innings of two-run ball while allowing five hits and striking out five. The loss went to Rangers starter Kumar Rocker, who was rocked by the A’s offense, giving up five runs on seven hits in just one and two-thirds innings.

The A’s bats got going early, batting through the order in the first inning and putting up four runs. Lawrence Butler immediately got the A’s on the board with a long solo home run to center field that traveled 425 feet, according to Statcast. The A’s quickly added to the lead as Shea Langeliers singled home Tyler Soderstrom, followed by Kurtz singling in Langeliers to make it 3-0. Gio Urshela capped the scoring in the inning with an RBI double, giving the A’s a 4-0 lead.

It was a welcome change for the A’s, who have often trailed early at home, to jump out to a fast start.

In the bottom of the second, the A’s scored again on a Jacob Wilson bases-loaded walk to make it a 5-0 ballgame. It was Wilson’s first walk of the 2025 season. The A’s wouldn’t score again, but they wouldn’t need to.

After Sears exited with a 5-2 lead, the A’s bullpen shut down the Rangers with four innings of shutout ball. Justin Sterner tossed a hitless sixth, Mitch Spence allowed one hit in a scoreless seventh, Tyler Ferguson delivered a clean eighth, and Mason Miller slammed the door in the ninth, striking out three and allowing just a two-out double. It was an electric performance from the A’s pen following Sears’ strong outing.

Langeliers led the A’s with a perfect 4-for-4 night, driving in a run and scoring once. Gio Urshela went 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.

With the win, the A’s improved to 11-13 on the season and have a chance to take the series from the Rangers on Thursday.

Up Next: The A’s and Rangers face off in the rubber match on Thursday at 7:05 PM PST at Sutter Health Park. Jacob deGrom is slated to start for Texas, while J.T. Ginn is the probable for the A’s.

Four-run sixth inning and last-minute save by Doval carry Giants to 4-2 win over Brewers

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb (62) throws against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Milwaukee Brewers 2 (13-12)

San Francisco Giants 4 (16-9)

Win: Logan Webb (3-1)

Loss: Freddy Peralta (2-2)

Save: Camilo Doval (4)

Time: 2:34

Attendance: 29,049

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants played a much cleaner game Wednesday night, as Logan Webb was strong over six and a third innings, and Camilo Doval stepped into his old role to avert disaster and close out a 4-2 win over the Brewers.

After the Giants won the series opener on Monday, the Brewers pounded them into submission Tuesday night. It was one of those games where you had to forget about it and be ready to go the next day.

The next day came, and the Giants had their ace in Logan Webb on the mound. Webb was coming off his first loss of the season on Friday night in Anaheim, which he really didn’t deserve. He gave up just two runs and struck out 12 over six innings. Unfortunately, the Giants just couldn’t provide him with any offense.

Anyway, Webb and the Giants took the field on the first foggy night of the season at Oracle Park. It wouldn’t be easy for Webb out of the gate, as he had to work through jams in each of the first two innings. However, he survived them both without any damage, and proceeded to set down the next 11 hitters he faced over three-straight one, two, three innings.

Brewers’ starter Freddy Peralta had a very similar outing. He escaped a jam in the bottom of the fourth inning, and notched five shutout innings under his belt.

Just like the championship days, the Giants have utilized the ground attack and have taken advantage of errors and defensive mistakes by their opponents this season. They would do it again Wednesday night, as they loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the sixth to knock Peralta out of the game.

In came Nick Mears to face Wilmer Flores. With the count at 1-2, Mears threw a nasty slider just below the knees on the outside corner, but Flores grounded it up the middle and off the glove of the diving shortstop, Joey Ortiz, for a base-hit to center field, and two runs scored to put the Giants up 2-0.

The Giants would get some help from the Brewers’ defense as the inning went along. With runners at the corners at one out, LeMonte Wade hit a potential double play ball to second-baseman Brice Turang that Turang tried to backhand, but it hit off his glove, and Matt Chapman scored to make it 3-0.

Christian Koss came up with two outs and hit a ground ball to Ortiz at short. Ortiz ranged to his left to field it, but his off-balanced throw to first sailed off the glove of first-baseman Rhys Hoskins, and Flores came in to score to cap off a four-run inning.

Webb gave up a base-hit and a walk to start the top of the seventh, and he closed out his night by getting Caleb Durbin to fly out to left. Webb ended up going six and a third scoreless innings and struck out six. Lefty Erik Miller came in and got out of it with the shutout still intact.

Tyler Rogers pitched a one, two, three inning in the top of the eighth, and Ryan Walker came in for a non-save situation in the top of the ninth. It was Walker’s first time on the mound since he gave up four runs and blew the save on Sunday in Anaheim.

Unfortunately, Walker was hit around again. The Brewers loaded the bases with one out following a pair of base-hits and a hit batsman. Turang then came up and lined a ground rule double off the end of the bat down the left field line, which scored a pair of runs and cut the Giants’ lead in half to 4-2.

Bob Melvin summoned Camilo Doval, who lost the closer’s job last August, but who had quietly amassed three saves so far this season. It was a big opportunity for Doval, who lost the job following a string of rough outings in the middle of last season. Doval seized on this opportunity, as he struck out Jackson Churio, and got Christian Yelich to ground out to end it.

Logan Webb got the win; Freddy Peralta took the loss; and Camilo Doval picked up his fourth save. Ryan Walker has five saves.

The Giants improve to 16-9, and they have a chance to take the series with a win Thursday afternoon. Landen Roupp (2-1, 4.09 ERA) will take the ball for the Giants. As for the Brewers, right-hander Tobias Myers will make the start in his 2025 debut.

First pitch will be at 12:45 p.m.

NBA Playoffs podcast Michael Roberson Wed Apr 23, 2025: Celtics Brown leads the way with 36 points beat Magic 109-100; Cavs go up 2-0 defeat Heat 121-112

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Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) takes a shot on the Orlando Magic’s guard Cory Joseph (10) in first half action in game 2 of the NBA first round playoffs at TD Garden in Boston on Wed Apr 23, 2025 (AP News photo)

NBA Playoffs podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael, the Boston Celtics took game 2 109-100 on Wednesday night. The Celtics once again got help from leading scorers Jaylen Brown 36 points, Kristaps Porzingis 20 points, and Derrick White with 17 points.

#2 The Magic now down 0-2 in this series couldn’t close the gap on the Celtics got scoring from Paolo Banchero with 32 points, Franz Wagner 25 points, and Wendell Carter Jr 16 points. The Magic have their backs to the wall with game 3 going back to Boston on Friday.

#3 The Cleveland Cavaliers Donavon Mitchell helped the Cavaliers go up 2-0 in the series leading with 30 points, Darius Garland 21 points, and Evan Mobley with 20 points. The Cavaliers had an offensive plan and won it 121-112.

#4 The Heat tried as hard as they might just didn’t get enough to try and tie this series up the leading scorers Tyler Herro 33 points, Davion Mitchell 18 points, and Haywood Highsmith with 17 points.

#5 The Heat are talented but do they have enough to make any noise as they head back to Miami for Saturday’s game 3?

Michael Roberson does the NBA podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Scott Perry Returns to Sacramento With Optimism and Big Decisions Ahead

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Scott Perry is introduced and joined by his wife in Sacramento on Wednesday. (Photo: Kevin John on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — “Good morning everyone, I’m so excited to be back in Sacramento, California. It is a joy and a blessing for me…”

Scott Perry opened his second tenure in Sacramento with a tone of optimism and resolve from the main press conference room inside Golden 1 Center on Wednesday morning.

Perry, who had previously spent a few months with the Kings in 2017 before leaving for New York to join the Knicks, is now back in Sacramento for the long haul as General Manager of the club.

One of the most pressing decisions Perry faces is selecting his head coach. The new Kings GM did not commit to interim coach Doug Christie, but he also didn’t rule him out.

“I’ve spent time with Doug Christie already,” Perry said. “I admire him as a player and his career. I watched him this year from afar… He’s one of the first people I met with when I arrived here in Sacramento… I want to have a few more conversations in and around this job, and hopefully we can come to a decision in the next week or so.”

The Kings and Perry appear eager to get to work. The next few months should give Kings fans a strong indication of the long-term direction the franchise is heading.

Nick Kurtz to Debut for A’s After Meteoric Rise Through Minors

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Nick Kurtz in the A’s clubhouse on Tuesday. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — A new era at first base for the Athletics is upon us!

The A’s first selection in the 2024 MLB Draft, Nick Kurtz, will make his debut for the Athletics in Sacramento against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday evening.

Kurtz, the No. 4 overall selection in last year’s draft out of Wake Forest, will debut after just 32 minor league games and less than 10 months since being drafted — both unprecedented in MLB. In those 32 minor league games, Kurtz hit .366 with 11 home runs, 10 doubles, and 22 walks, good for a 1.121 OPS. Coaches and players who have seen him during his brief time in pro ball have described him as a very mature player despite his limited experience. 

A’s manager Mark Kotsay, speaking with the media on Tuesday, said, “He’s a pretty accomplished young hitter, and he’s got an advanced approach. As David mentioned, his demeanor, he’s a pretty even-keeled kid.

It’s safe to say there’s plenty of excitement surrounding Nick, both in the clubhouse and in the front office.

Kurtz will play first base on Wednesday as Tyler Soderstrom moves to the outfield.

As the A’s continue to struggle at home (2-8 over their first 10 home games), Kurtz might be just what the doctor ordered. Granted, A’s pitching is generally seen as the area most in need of improvement.

As for Kurtz and his appeal to fans, I’ll say this: I watched Nick clear the batter’s eye in center field and hit the scoreboard in right-center during batting practice on Tuesday afternoon. The kid is gonna be must-watch baseball.