UPDATE: In a stunning announcement, the American League has named Nick Kurtz of the Oakland Athletics as the unanimous American League Rookie of the Year for 2025. This news broke on Monday night, solidifying Kurtz’s impressive debut season in Major League Baseball.
Kurtz, just 22 years old, dominated the competition, securing 30 first-place votes after an outstanding season where he batted .290, hit 36 home runs, and drove in 86 RBIs. His remarkable 1.002 OPS ranked third in MLB, behind only superstars Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, despite his late call-up in late April.
What makes this achievement even more impressive is Kurtz’s standout performance on July 25 against the Houston Astros, where he made history by hitting four home runs in a single game—only the 20th player ever to achieve this feat. Throughout the season, he proved himself as a powerhouse, also hitting two home runs in another game against the Astros.
Kurtz’s rookie statistics are staggering; he finished first among all rookies in home runs and RBIs, second in on-base percentage, and third in hits. His teammate, Jacob Wilson, finished behind him, garnering 23 second-place votes, while Roman Anthony of the Boston Red Sox took third.
Additionally, a total of twelve other American League players received votes, including Noah Cameron from the Kansas City Royals and Colson Montgomery of the Chicago White Sox, who placed fourth and fifth, respectively.
Under the new rules established in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, Kurtz will receive a full year of service time for this prestigious award. However, the Athletics will not gain an extra draft pick since he was not on the major league roster for at least 172 days.
This recognition not only highlights Kurtz’s exceptional talent but also signals a bright future for the Athletics as they look to build around their star rookie. As the offseason approaches, fans are eager to see how Kurtz will continue to develop and contribute in the coming years.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and as the MLB offseason heats up with more awards and free agency news.
