By Mauricio Segura July 27, 2025
Photo: GBT Graphics
A Historic Night in Houston
On Friday, July 25, 2025, Nick Kurtz etched his name into MLB history in a 15–3 rout of the Astros at Daikin Park, becoming the first rookie ever to hit four home runs in a single Major League game. Kurtz went a perfect 6-for-6, collected eight RBIs, scored six runs, and tied the all-time MLB single-game total bases record with 19, matching Shawn Green’s 2002 feat.
Each home run came off a different pitcher, a showcase of raw, balanced power. His fourth came off a position player in the ninth inning, capping off one of the most dominant single-game performances in recent memory. With this explosive outing, Kurtz surged to the front of the American League Rookie of the Year race, overtaking teammate Jacob Wilson.
He entered the game with strong numbers, but after his four-homer masterpiece, his season slash line ballooned to about .305/.374/.686, with 23 home runs in just 66 games. The franchise, now playing in Sacramento, may have found its next franchise cornerstone.
Teammates affectionately call him “Big Amish,” a nod to his Pennsylvania roots. After every extra-base hit, Kurtz joins in the dugout's tradition by miming a butter churning motion in celebration.
From Lancaster to Wake Forest: The Early Years
Born March 12, 2003, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Nick Kurtz’s baseball journey began in an area more famous for farmland than fastballs. He attended Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in both baseball and basketball. He earned All-State honors in baseball and quickly attracted the attention of Division I programs.
He committed to Wake Forest University, where he developed into one of the top hitters in college baseball. In his sophomore season, he hit .353/.527/.784 with 24 home runs. By his junior year, he had added another 22 homers and became Wake Forest’s all-time leader in walks. His advanced plate discipline stood out among his peers.
Draft Day and Minor League Breakout
Kurtz was selected as the first-round pick and fourth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft by the A's and signed a $7 million bonus shortly after. He debuted in the summer of 2024 with Single-A Stockton and quickly moved up to Double-A Midland, where he continued to show advanced hitting ability.
He opened 2025 with the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators, and it didn’t take long for Sacramento to bring him up. Kurtz made his MLB debut on April 23, 2025, and notched an RBI single in his first game. His first home run came on May 13 against the Dodgers' J.P. Feyereisen.
On June 16, he blasted a two-run walk-off homer against the Astros. It traveled 447 feet and was the longest walk-off for the Sacramento franchise in a decade. He has been locked in ever since.
The Big Leagues and Beyond
In just over two months, Kurtz has made his presence felt. With 23 home runs, 59 RBIs, and 43 extra-base hits, he leads all MLB rookies in each category. His blend of power, patience, and polish is rare for a rookie. It is nearly unheard of for a first baseman with under 300 MLB plate appearances.
At 22 years old, Kurtz is already being mentioned as a potential All-Star and even future MVP contender. His elite eye at the plate and compact swing suggest long-term success. If the Sacramento club builds around him effectively, he could be the face of the franchise for the next decade.
From rural Pennsylvania to becoming the hottest bat in the big leagues, Nick Kurtz’s rise has been fast and furious. Sacramento may no longer be new to baseball, but in Kurtz, they have found a fresh identity and possibly the next superstar to lead them into a new era.
