Kurtz is 22 years old, 6’5″, 240 pounds and bats from the left side. The Athletics selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft.
In Single-A last season, Kurtz got right to work, belting four home runs in 35 plate appearances. The strikeout rate was only 20% while the walk rate was 28.6%. After moving up to Double-A last season, he only accrued 15 plate appearances, but the plate discipline was still evident with a 13.3% walk rate and 20% strikeout rate.
In 97 plate appearances in Triple-A this season, Kurtz hit seven home runs with a 10.3% walk rate, 26.8% strikeout rate and .333 ISO. The slash was a healthy .321/.385/.655.
Kurtz is a first baseman. and despite the Athletics having Tyler Soderstrom and Brent Rooker manning the first base and designated hitter positions, Oakland decided to reward Kurtz and called him up to The Show on Monday, per MLB.com’s Martin Gallegos.
I don’t think Oakland calls up Kurtz to sit on the bench, so he should get some plate appearances. The questions are: Where will he hit in the order? Will he play in the field or be the designated hitter? The power is for real, but will the plate discipline translate and how much of an adjustment period will he need?
