MESA, Ariz. — At 6-foot-5, Nick Kurtz towers over many of his Athletics teammates yet prefers to blend quietly into the clubhouse environment. The 22-year-old reigning AL Rookie of the Year has maintained his familiar offseason routine of retreating to his North Carolina home, where he relaxes by playing video games and watching movies, balancing leisure with training as he prepares for the new season.
Kurtz acknowledged the heightened attention he faces this spring but remains focused on his role within the team.
“First of all, I’m excited for Year 2. I kind of know what to expect and what it’s like to play in the big leagues,”
Kurtz said ahead of his season debut in the Cactus League against Cleveland.
“Am I embracing the spotlight? Not so much. I’m a guy who likes to be out there, but obviously there’s a lot more eyes, a lot more expectations, which I’m all about. I use that as our team, we have higher expectations of ourselves and what we think that we can do, so it’s a good thing.”
Manager Considers Kurtz for Leadoff Role to Maximize His Impact
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay is exploring the possibility of placing Kurtz in the leadoff spot to increase the number of his at-bats. During Sunday’s game against the Guardians, Kurtz took the leadoff role but went 0 for 3 with a strikeout in the 6-0 loss.
Kotsay commended Kurtz’s attitude and consistency off the field, noting his grounded personality despite his rapid rise.
“The same way like he’s 13 years old, he’s never going to change,”
Kotsay said at Hohokam Stadium.
“It’s awesome to watch him in the clubhouse, on the back field, he comes in the same way, the same guy, just feels blessed to be here, and I don’t think that’s ever going to change for him.”
Kurtz’s Rookie Season Set New Standards
In his standout 2025 campaign, Kurtz batted .290, hit 36 home runs, and drove in 86 runs while posting a 1.002 OPS across 117 games. He became just the eighth rookie in Major League history to finish a season with an OPS over 1.000 after at least 400 plate appearances. In July, he captured headlines by becoming the first rookie ever to hit four homers in a single game, helping the Athletics to a 15-3 win over the Houston Astros.
Locker Room Banter Highlights Kurtz’s Power
Kurtz’s power at the plate draws playful envy from his teammates. Zack Gelof, a second baseman recovering from shoulder surgery, joked,
“It’s extremely annoying, not fun, because I know whatever I do I can never hit it opposite field that far, so I would say annoying,”
adding, “Not as fun.”
Team’s Momentum Fuels Optimism for Next Season
Looking ahead, Kurtz is optimistic about the Athletics’ ability to build on their late-season push that led to a 76-86 finish. He believes the club’s young, locked-in core can propel them back into contention in the AL West. He also expressed enthusiasm about the franchise’s upcoming relocation to Las Vegas in 2028, hoping to be part of the team’s growth and success through that transition.
“My plan is to be here for as long as I can,”
Kurtz shared.
“I’ll be here for the next six years, minimum, so it’s really exciting to know that when we go to Vegas we have guys that we’ll be super familiar with and some of my best friends I’ve made for life, so it’s really fun.”
Teammates Celebrate Milestones Quietly Off the Field
Many of Kurtz’s closest teammates joined him in November on the island of Maui, Hawaii, to celebrate left fielder Tyler Soderstrom’s wedding, which coincided with Kurtz’s AL Rookie of the Year announcement. Even in celebration, Kurtz kept things low-key.
“Not a whole lot, maybe a couple beers, just hanging out,”
he said.
Routine and Stability Remain Central to Kurtz’s Preparation
During the offseason, Kurtz focused on strength and conditioning, emphasizing the importance of maintaining his body for a full Major League season. Although he delayed hitting drills until December, he ramped up his weight training, sticking closely to the approach that brought him success.
“I’m not a big changing guy. If it worked last year let’s do it again this year,”
Kurtz remarked.
Calm Demeanor Draws Praise from Teammates
Center fielder Denzel Clarke noted Kurtz’s ability to stay composed despite his size and the pressures of professional baseball.
“I don’t know how under the radar you can be at 6-5, but he’s just a very calm, very chill guy who’s going to go about his day-to-day life,”
Clarke said.
“Nothing too crazy, nothing too flashy, he’s just going to be him.”
Rapid Adjustment and Growth Mark Kurtz’s Early Career
Drafted fourth overall in the 2024 amateur draft from Wake Forest, Kurtz impressed right from his debut last April with his maturity and willingness to learn. Manager Kotsay praised his quick adaptation to big-league challenges.
“I think he learned it really quickly when he got to us, and he mentioned that,”
Kotsay explained.
“He did go through a little bit of failure but he found his routines and his processes pretty quickly and recognized you can’t get caught in the results, you just get caught in your process, and I think for a young player to realize that as quickly as he did, it showed in the success that he had.”
Looking Ahead: What Kurtz Means for Athletics’ Future
Nick Kurtz’s steady approach and remarkable rookie season have positioned him as a foundational piece of the Athletics’ pursuit of AL West success. His blend of power, composure, and commitment reflects a player not overwhelmed by expectations but motivated by them. As the Athletics prepare for upcoming seasons, including the franchise’s move to Las Vegas, Kurtz’s presence and leadership within the young core will be key factors in shaping the team’s trajectory toward playoff contention.
