Nick Kurtz: Embracing Rookie Success with Humility
MESA, Ariz. — Standing tall at 6-foot-5, Nick Kurtz blends into his Athletics teammates’ surroundings at his locker, which is just how he prefers it. Despite being the reigning AL Rookie of the Year at just 22, he continues to prioritize his routine.
Kurtz returned home to North Carolina during the offseason, enjoying downtime with video games and movies while also training hard. “I’m excited for Year 2,” he said before his first Cactus League game against Cleveland. “While I’m aware of the increased attention, I prefer to focus on our team’s high expectations rather than the spotlight.”
Managing the A’s, Mark Kotsay is considering Kurtz for the leadoff position to maximize his at-bats. In his first outing of the season, Kurtz went 0 for 3 with a strikeout against the Guardians, yet he remains focused on contributing to the team.
Kurtz enjoyed an impressive 2025 season, batting .290 with 36 home runs and 86 RBIs in 117 games. He became only the eighth rookie since 1901 to register an OPS over 1.000 with at least 400 plate appearances and was the first to hit four homers in a single game in July.
His teammate Zack Gelof humorously noted, “It’s extremely annoying to watch him every day. He can hit the ball farther than I can, and that’s just disappointing.”
Looking ahead, Kurtz is optimistic about the A’s building on their late-seasons momentum and hopes to contribute to their success before the anticipated move to Las Vegas in 2028. “I plan to be here for at least six more years,” he stated, expressing excitement about developing strong bonds with his teammates.
Recently, many of his teammates gathered in Maui to celebrate Tyler Soderstrom’s wedding, just as Kurtz was honored with the Rookie of the Year award. “It was a low-key celebration—just a couple of beers and hanging out,” he reflected.
With a focus on maintaining strength and health in preparation for a full season, Kurtz reiterated his commitment to sticking with what worked last season. “I started swinging later in December,” he said, emphasizing the importance of consistency in his training.
