Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz was a unanimous selection as the American League Rookie of the Year on Monday, while Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin was voted the National League Rookie of the Year. Kurtz, 22, received all 30 first-place votes after a breakout rookie season. He is the ninth Athletics player to win the […]
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Athletics’ Nick Kurtz, Braves’ Drake Baldwin win Rookie of the Year awards
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Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz was a unanimous selection as the American League Rookie of the Year on Monday, while Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin was voted the National League Rookie of the Year.
Kurtz, 22, received all 30 first-place votes after a breakout rookie season. He is the ninth Athletics player to win the award, but the first since pitcher Andrew Baldwin in 2009.
Baldwin, 24, is the 10th Brave to win the honor, receiving 21 of the 30 first-place votes. He’s the second in the last four years (Michael Harris II in 2022) and the third in the last eight years (Ronald Acuna Jr. in 2018).
Kurtz, who was drafted fourth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, debuted in the majors just over nine months later in April after just 32 minor league games. He led all rookies with 36 home runs, 86 RBIs and 90 runs, hitting .290 with a .383 on-base percentage and .619 slugging percentage.
Most memorably, Kurtz made history when he became the first rookie and first Athletics player to hit four home runs in a single game July 25 vs. the Houston Astros, finishing 6-for-6 with eight RBIs.
“It’s a great ending to the first year,” Kurtz said on MLB Network regarding the Rookie of the Year honor. “I’m gonna just use this and keep on grinding and come out better next year.”
Baldwin, drafted in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft by Atlanta, had never played at the major league level before somewhat surprisingly making the 2025 opening-day roster coming out of spring training.
The rookie ended up playing 30 more games (124) than starting catcher Sean Murphy, who missed some time with injuries. Baldwin took advantage of the opportunity, posting a .274 batting average and .341 on-base percentage with 19 homers, 18 doubles and 80 RBIs. He also committed just four errors, finishing with a .995 fielding percentage.
“I mean, this is crazy,” Baldwin said on MLB Network of capturing Rookie of the Year. .”.. I mean, this is wild. Looking back, at the start of the year I never really thought I was going to be in this position. Even a couple of weeks in, there’s so many ups and downs and stuff, and now being able to cap this off with this award is just so special.
“This whole year has been a ton of fun. It’s everything you dream of, and being able to get this (award) is just one of the coolest things that I’ve ever had happen.”
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson finished second in AL ROTY voting, making him and Kurtz the first position-player teammates to finish first and second in voting since 1989. Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony finished third.
Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton finished second in NL ROTY voting while Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Caleb Durbin finished third.
–Field Level Media