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Andrew Wright is a Newsweek contributor based in Lancaster, South Carolina. His focus is MLB content. Andrew has been with Newsweek since April 1st and previously worked at Yardbarker, SEC Unfiltered and more. He is a graduate of Charleston Southern University.
You can get in touch with Andrew by emailing a.wright@newsweek.com or dew4417@icloud.com
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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Athletics rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz has been one of the biggest surprises across the league this season.
After being selected No. 4 overall in last year’s MLB Draft, Kirtz flew through the minor leagues and made his major league debut in May. He has quickly become one of the best hitters in the game this season and MLB Network’s Mark DeRosa believes he will continue to be that for quite some time.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 13: Nick Kurtz #16 of the Athletics celebrates a 493 feet grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Sutter Health Park on September 13,…
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 13: Nick Kurtz #16 of the Athletics celebrates a 493 feet grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Sutter Health Park on September 13, 2025 in Sacramento, California. This is the new furthest home run hit this season
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Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images
“This is no flash in the pan. This is one of the best hitters in the game for the foreseeable future,” DeRosa said on MLB Network. “The opposite-field power, the ability to hit left on left, the bottom-line is, the dude is one of the best hitters in the game.”
Kurtz is certainly among the best hitters right now, as shown by his outstanding slash line of .298/.392/.628 to go along with 32 home runs, 80 RBI and a 1.019 OPS as just a rookie.
He’s been especially good against some of the better teams in MLB this season. That includes the division rival Houston Astros, as Kurtz has a .548 average and seven home runs. He’s hitting .400 with two home runs against the Detroit Tigers and .455 with two homers against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Kurtz has joined a young core for the Athletics that has the potential to be one of the best lineups in MLB next season. If DeRosa is right about Kurtz staying one of the best hitters in the league, playoff baseball could be on the horizon for the A’s.
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