NICK KURTZ : new rising star of baseball
Nick Kurtz: The Big Amish Who Just Blew Up Baseball
If you haven’t heard the name Nick Kurtz yet, bhai, you’re about to. The 22-year-old rookie for the Oakland Athletics just detonated the baseball world with a performance so absurd, it’s already being whispered in the same breath as legends. From his humble beginnings in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to becoming the first rookie in MLB history to hit four home runs in a single game, Kurtz’s rise has been nothing short of cinematic.
Let’s dive deep into the life, career, and recent explosion of this baseball phenom. Strap in—this is going to be a wild ride.
🧒 Early Life & Origins
Nick Kurtz was born on March 12, 2003, in Lancaster, PA—a place known more for Amish buggies than baseball bats. His nickname, “Big Amish,” isn’t just a joke—it’s a nod to his roots. His parents, Marie and Jeff, had him swinging a bat before he could spell “home run.” By age 4, he was in T-ball. By age 12, he was representing the USA in the 12-and-under national team.
He later attended Wake Forest University, where he absolutely torched college baseball. He hit 61 home runs and set the program’s all-time walks record. Scouts were drooling. In the 2024 MLB Draft, the Oakland Athletics snagged him with the 4th overall pick, and bhai, they struck gold.
🚀 Meteoric Rise Through the Minors
After signing a $7 million deal with the A’s in July 2024, Kurtz wasted no time. He tore through Single-A and Double-A, then got promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators to start 2025. His OPS in the minors? A ridiculous 1.283, followed by 1.040 in Triple-A.
By April 23, 2025, he made his MLB debut. And while his first month was quiet—just one homer and a .208 average—he flipped the switch in late May. Since then, he’s been on a tear that’s making pitchers lose sleep.
💣 The Historic Game: July 25, 2025
This is the moment that turned Kurtz from promising rookie to baseball deity.
Against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park, Kurtz went 6-for-6 with:
- 4 home runs
- 1 double
- 1 single
- 8 RBIs
- 6 runs scored
- 19 total bases (tied for second-most in MLB history)
He became the first rookie ever to hit four homers in a game and only the second player in MLB history to have four homers and six hits in one game—the other being Shawn Green in 2002.
Each homer came off a different pitcher. His final blast, a three-run shot in the ninth, was an opposite-field laser into the Crawford Boxes. The crowd went berserk. His teammates? Speechless. Manager Mark Kotsay said, “It’s arguably the best game I’ve ever watched from a single player.”
🧈 The Butter Churn Celebration
Kurtz doesn’t just hit bombs—he celebrates them with flair. His signature move? The “Amish butter churn”—a twirling hand motion that’s become iconic among A’s fans. It’s goofy, it’s charming, and it’s pure Kurtz.
📈 Stats That’ll Make Your Jaw Drop
As of late July 2025, Kurtz’s numbers are video-game level:
- .488 batting average over his last 11 games
- 20 home runs in just 66 MLB games
- 38 extra-base hits—the most by any A’s player in their first 65 games
- Slashing .352/.427/.870 since May 19
He’s also the first player since 1901 to record 19+ HRs, 17+ doubles, 2 triples, and 28 walks in his first 65 games.
🏆 Rookie of the Year Race
The A’s have two rookie monsters: Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson. Both are lighting up the league, but after Kurtz’s four-homer game, he might’ve just snatched the American League Rookie of the Year crown.
CBS Sports even predicted Kurtz will lead all first basemen in home runs by season’s end.
💰 Contract Talks & Future
There’s buzz about locking Kurtz down long-term. A projected extension could look like:
- 2026–2027: $2M/year
- 2028–2031: Arbitration years, rising to $15M
- 2032–2034: Free agent years, up to $22M/year
If the A’s pull the trigger, they’ll have a core of Kurtz, Wilson, and Butler locked in for the next 8 years. That’s a scary trio.
🥹 Heartwarming Family Moment
After his historic game, Kurtz shared an emotional moment with his parents and godparents. It was the first time his godparents had seen him play in the big leagues. “They probably have to come in the rest of the year,” he joked.
🔥 What’s Next?
With 61 games left in the regular season, Kurtz is on pace to:
- Hit 40+ home runs
- Break rookie records
- Possibly challenge franchise records set by legends like Mark McGwire
The A’s may not make the playoffs this year, but their future is glowing. And Nick Kurtz? He’s not just a rising star—he’s a supernova.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Nick Kurtz is the kind of player who makes you fall in love with baseball again. He’s got the power, the personality, the story, and the swagger. Whether he’s churning butter after a double or launching moonshots into the second deck, he’s rewriting what it means to be a rookie.
So yeah, bhai, this is your 1000-word deep dive into every damn thing about Nick Kurtz. And if he keeps this up, we’ll need a whole book.
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Labels: BaseballHighlights, BaseballSkills, CollegiateAthletics, FutureStar, GameChanger, NickKurtzBaseball, PassionForSports, SportsMotivation, YoungAthlete