OAKLAND, Calif. The Oakland Athletics are poised to promote their top hitting prospect, Nick Kurtz, to the major leagues this week, according to multiple reports. The 22yearold first baseman, drafted fourth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Wake Forest University, has been turning heads with his performance in the minors.
In TripleA Las Vegas, Kurtz showcased his powerhitting abilities, batting .321 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs over 20 games. Across three minor league levels, he has accumulated a .336 batting average, 11 home runs, 37 RBIs, and a .689 slugging percentage in 147 plate appearances. His keen eye at the plate is evident from his 22 walks during this span.
Kurtzs promotion is anticipated to follow the Athletics series opener against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday, where he may face lefthanded pitcher Patrick Corbin. The Athletics will continue their series against the Rangers on Wednesday and Thursday.
During his collegiate career at Wake Forest, Kurtz earned First Team AllACC honors, batting .306 with 22 home runs, 11 doubles, and 57 RBIs in his final season. He led the nation with 78 walks and posted a .531 onbase percentage, .763 slugging percentage, and a 1.294 OPS.
Despite a hamstring injury that ended his 2024 season prematurely, Kurtz made a strong comeback in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .353 with two home runs and 11 RBIs over 11 games. His performance earned him AFL Hitter of the Week honors, highlighting his readiness for the major leagues.
As the Athletics continue to rebuild, Kurtzs promotion signals a commitment to developing young talent. Fans will be eager to see if his minor league success translates to the big leagues as he steps onto the MLB stage.