From his early days as a multi-sport athlete to becoming the first rookie in MLB history to smash four home runs in a single game, Nicholas “Nick” Jeffrey Kurtz has rapidly carved out a name for himself in the world of professional baseball. Born on March 12, 2003, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Kurtz’s journey to the big leagues has been marked by consistent excellence and a recent, unforgettable display of power.
Childhood and Collegiate Dominance
Kurtz’s athletic talent was evident from a young age. He represented the USA 12U National Team, contributing to their gold medal victory at the 2015 World Cup. His high school years were spent at Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he not only excelled on the baseball diamond but also earned All-Region nominations twice in basketball. While initially recruited as a pitcher by Wake Forest University, it quickly became clear that his true calling was at the plate.
At Wake Forest, Kurtz established himself as one of the premier college hitters in the nation. His freshman year in 2022 saw him earn Freshman All-American honors with an impressive .338/.471/.637 slash line, including 15 home runs and 56 RBIs. He elevated his game even further in 2023, hitting .353/.527/.784 with 24 home runs and 69 RBIs, earning him First Team All-American recognition. By his junior year in 2024, Kurtz was named a team captain and continued to rake, slashing .306/.531/.763 with 22 home runs and 57 RBIs. He departed Wake Forest holding the program’s all-time record for walks with 189, a testament to his keen eye and plate discipline.
Professional Journey: A Rapid Rise
Kurtz’s stellar collegiate career positioned him as a top prospect in the 2024 MLB Draft. The Oakland Athletics recognized his immense potential, selecting him in the first round as the fourth overall pick. He quickly signed with the Athletics for a $7 million bonus on July 22, 2024.
His professional debut saw him splitting time between the Single-A Stockton Ports and Double-A Midland RockHounds in his initial season. By the start of the 2025 season, Kurtz was assigned to the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators. His stay in the minors was brief, however, as his impressive performance earned him a promotion to the major leagues after just 32 minor league games.
Nick Kurtz made his highly anticipated MLB debut on April 23, 2025, for the Oakland Athletics against the Texas Rangers, where he recorded an RBI single. His first career home run came on May 13, 2025, against J. P. Feyereisen of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He continued to showcase his clutch hitting, delivering a two-run walk-off home run on June 16, 2025, off Bryan Abreu of the Houston Astros, a moonshot projected at 447 feet.
A Historic Night: Four Home Runs and Beyond
The date July 25, 2025, will forever be etched in baseball history thanks to Nick Kurtz. In a sensational performance against the Houston Astros, Kurtz became the first rookie in MLB history to hit four home runs in a single game. This incredible feat also marked him as the first Oakland Athletics player to achieve a four-homer game.
But Kurtz’s historic night didn’t stop there. He finished the game a perfect 6-for-6, including a double and a single, alongside his four long balls. He matched the MLB record for most total bases in a game (since 1900) with 19 and became only the second player in MLB history (joining Shawn Green) to have six hits in a four-homer game. He also scored six runs and tallied eight RBIs, demonstrating a complete offensive masterpiece.
This extraordinary display wasn’t an isolated incident. Kurtz has been on a tear, particularly in July 2025, where he has led Major League Baseball in numerous offensive categories, including batting average, OPS, home runs, and RBIs. His performance has quickly made him a leading candidate for the Rookie of the Year award, solidifying his status as one of baseball’s most exciting young talents.
As of July 26, 2025, Nick Kurtz continues to impress, leaving fans and analysts eager to see what new heights this burgeoning star will reach.
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