Athletics Rookie Nick Kurtz Wins Silver Slugger
A dream rookie season for Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz gained another jewel Friday night, as he became the only rookie to win a 2025 Silver Slugger Award.
This marks the fourth time an Athletics first baseman won the Silver Slugger Award, which was established in 1980. Kurtz joins two-time winner Mark McGwire, who won the 1992 and 1996 awards, and 2001 winner Jason Giambi.
The 2025 Season of Nick Kurtz
Kurtz slashed .290/.383/.619 (122-for-420) across 117 games in 2025. He had 26 doubles, two triples, 36 homers, and 86 RBI. Notably, he had a 1.002 OPS — one of three hitters in the majors with at least 400 plate appearances to break the 1.000 OPS barrier. The others, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani — also won 2025 Silver Slugger Awards.
The capstone of Kurtz’s rookie season came July 25 in Houston. On that Friday night, Kurtz went 6-for-6 with four homers, a double, 19 total bases, eight RBI, and a record-tying six runs scored. His 19 total bases tied the single-game record set by Shawn Green in 2002. Kurtz was the first rookie to score six times in a game. Additionally, he was the first Athletics player and first rookie to have a four-homer game. Since no one has ever hit five in a game, Kurtz tied that record as well.
Past Athletics Winners
Designated hitter Brent Rooker won the award in 2024, making this the second straight year the Athletics have had a Silver Slugger. Other Athletics to win the award while with the team — aside from Kurtz, Rooker, McGwire, and Giambi — are third baseman Eric Chavez (2002), outfielder and Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson (1981, 1990), and outfielder Jose Canseco (1988, 1990, 1991).
Looking Ahead
Kurtz has a chance to win another award in the coming days. He and teammate Jacob Wilson are finalists for the BBWAA American League Rookie of the Year. This means that they had two of the three highest vote totals, along with fellow finalist Roman Anthony of the Boston Red Sox. The winner of this award will be announced Monday.
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