Nick
Kurtz, the A’s first baseman, leads all rookies in go-ahead home runs, is tied
for first in home runs and ranks fifth in On-base Plus Slugging and RBI. Photo
courtesy of the Athletics

WEST
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – Athletics’ first baseman Nick Kurtz has been named
the American League Rookie of the Month for June. This is the second
consecutive month that an A’s player has won American League Rookie of the
Month after shortstop Jacob Wilson won the award last month. 

In
June, Kurtz hit .264 with a .926 On-base Plus Slugging (OPS), seven home runs,
17 runs batted in (RBI), seven walks and 10 extra-base hits. Among rookies with
70 or more plate appearances, the On-base Plus Slugging, home runs and RBI were
the most in the Majors for the month. Kurtz’s extra-base hits were tied
for first and five of his seven home runs were go-ahead shots, which
led rookies, and was second only to Cal Raleigh in all of baseball.

For
the year, Kurtz is hitting .241 with an .800 OPS including 12 home runs, 32 RBI
and five go-ahead home runs. He leads all rookies in go-ahead home runs, is
tied for first in home runs and ranks fifth in On-base Plus Slugging and RBI,
as of press time.

Prior
to the 2025 season, the last A’s player to win a monthly award was Mason Miller
who was named Reliever of the Month for March/April 2024. Before this season,
the last A’s player to win American League Rookie of the Month was Zack Gelof
in August 2023.

A’s
designated hitter Brent Rooker has been selected to the American League
All-Star team for the 95th Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 15 in
Atlanta, after press time. It is his second career selection.

A’s designated hitter Brent
Rooker is batting .273 (97-for-355) with 55 runs scored, 19 doubles, 18 home
runs and 48 RBI in 91 games this season. Photo courtesy of the Athletics

Rooker
batted .273 (97-for-355) with 55 runs scored, 19 doubles, 18 home runs and 48
RBI in 91 games this season.

Among
American League batters, Rooker ranked fourth in runs, tied for eighth in hits
and tied for 10th in home runs, as of press time.

As
of press time, he leads the American League in home runs as a designated hitter
(14) and his 79 hits while at the position are tied for first. Rooker is the
only Athletic to play in all 91 games and he has a streak of 131 consecutive
games played, dating back to Aug. 17, 2024.

Rooker
finished second in player balloting at designated hitter to Baltimore’s Ryan
O’Hearn. He joins teammate Jacob Wilson, who was elected by fans as the
starting shortstop.

This
is the first time that the A’s have had two All Stars since 2021, when Chris
Bassitt and Matt Olson represented the Athletics and it is just the second time
over the last 33 years that they have had two or more non-pitchers.

Rooker
is the A’s first two-time All Star since Stephen Vogt (2015-16). Head strength
and conditioning coach Josh Cuffe was also chosen to represent the Green and
Gold in Atlanta.