Nick Kurtz looks back on his outstanding performances and his start as a professional player since becoming the Oakland Athletics’ first baseman.
What did Kurtz say?
The 21-year-old is in top form after hitting a three-run homer in an 11-1 win over the San Jose Giants at Excite Ballpark on Saturday.
Kurtz recorded his fourth rounder in his sixth start for Single-A Stockton Potts. Looking back on his pro career, Kurtz said, “It’s all about getting hot at the right time.
“Baseball is a game of ups and downs. I had a great couple of weeks in Arizona and saw a lot of pitching coming up to Stockton. Baseball is all about timing.
“Baseball is tough. A lot of things happen in baseball. Things don’t always go your way, and when they do, you have to take advantage of it and enjoy it. And when you’re going through a tough time, you have to fight and overcome it.”
Kurtz’s career so far
Kurtz started his pro career with an impressive .409/.567/1.000 slash line. The Athletics were particularly impressed with the left-handed hitter’s power in various areas of the field, but it was his plate discipline that really set him apart.
He has walked eight batters in just six games, striking out just six, and the crucial bases-loaded walk that drove in four runs Saturday was a crucial four-run walk. Kurtz has hit in every game he’s played so far as a pro. There have been comparisons within the organization to Matt Olson, who previously showed off his power by hitting a home run in Lake McLeod behind Stockton’s Banner Island Ballpark.
Kurtz’s rise to become one of the nation’s most powerful college hitters is especially notable given that the Demon Deacons initially signed him as a pitcher. He hit an incredible 14 home runs in a 10-game stretch from March 31 to April 16, including a three-home run performance against Virginia.
Kurtz, A’s 2024 draft pick
Earlier this year, Kurtz proved to be a formidable challenge for college pitchers. Now it’s clear that even the California League pitching staff can’t withstand the 65-rated power of the A’s 2024 first-round draft pick.
Potts’ lineup included Joshua Kuroda-Grauer (third round, 13th-ranked prospect), Rodney Green (fourth round, 22nd), Tommy White (second round, 4th), and Kurtz, who took the top four picks. The group combined for 10 hits, with Green’s performance including his first professional home run, a triple to center field.
“After three years in college, you know what good chemistry is, what makes a good team,” Kurtz said. “We have all those aspects, and we have a great time together every day and enjoy each other’s company.”
