The Sacramento A’s have formally offered a contract extension to their rising star, first baseman Nick Kurtz, following his outstanding 2025 season, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. This move comes as the team aims to retain Kurtz’s promising talent amid ongoing extension discussions. Details regarding the length and financial terms of the offer remain undisclosed.
Kurtz, 22, surged into the spotlight after being drafted fourth overall from Wake Forest in the 2024 MLB Draft. His rapid development has positioned him as one of the A’s most valuable young players, making the contract talks pivotal for both parties.
Kurtz’s Breakout Rookie Season Demonstrates Star Quality
During the 2025 season, Kurtz played in 116 games after his late-April call-up, posting an impressive .290 batting average with 36 home runs and 86 RBIs. His overall OPS of 1.002 signaled exceptional offensive output for a rookie, reinforcing his status as a potential franchise cornerstone.
According to Baseball Savant, Kurtz ranked in the 92nd percentile for average exit velocity at 92.7 miles per hour, while excelling in barrel percentage (18.4%) and bat speed (77.2 miles per hour), both in the 98th percentile. Despite being an average runner and a below-average defender at first base, there is room for improvement as he prepares for his age-23 season starting March 12.
Among his notable achievements, Kurtz became the first rookie ever to hit four home runs in a single game during his debut season, going 6-for-6 in that historic performance. He remains the only player in Athletics history to accomplish this feat and ranks as just the 20th player in MLB history to do so, according to MLB.com’s Martin Gallegos.
Oakland’s Strategy to Secure Its Rising Young Core
The A’s have emphasized maintaining continuity among their young talent, having already locked up players such as shortstop Jacob Wilson, and outfielders Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom with long-term deals, reports Joel Sherman. Successfully extending Kurtz would follow this pattern of securing promising players before they reach arbitration eligibility.
This approach fits with the A’s broader vision of building a competitive team nucleus centered on young standouts like Kurtz, Wilson, Butler, and Soderstrom. As the franchise prepares for its eventual relocation to Las Vegas, anticipated before the 2028 season, these contract agreements take on added significance for ensuring stability in the roster.
With the A’s entering the final years of their tenure in Sacramento, fans are eager to witness how these strategic moves may influence the club’s future success. Last season, the team finished fourth in the American League West with a 76-86 record, underscoring the importance of nurturing the growth of players like Kurtz.
Extending Kurtz Could Shape the Team’s Future
While dialogue between Kurtz and the A’s continues, it remains uncertain whether the two sides will reach an agreement soon. The forthcoming months will be critical in determining if Kurtz remains a key figure in the franchise’s rebuilding efforts. His contract extension would not only secure a premier first baseman but also signal the organization’s commitment to developing a young core capable of elevating the team’s competitive stature.
“The A’s have already successfully made attempts to lock up other young talent in the previous year on their team, which includes shortstop Jacob Wilson, Lawrence Butler, and Tyler Soderstrom.” – Joel Sherman, New York Post
“Kurtz was the first rookie in league history to hit four home runs in a single game during his rookie campaign.” – Martin Gallegos, MLB.com
The A’s have made a long-term extension offer to AL ROY Nick Kurtz, according to 2 sources. I received no word on the likelihood of getting it to the finish line. The A’s over the last year have done pre-arbitration extensions already with Butler, Soderstrom, Wilson.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 26, 2026
