The Midland RockHounds announced that former player and current Athletics infielder Nick Kurtz has been named the 2025 American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year by Major League Baseball.
The RockHounds, the Double-A Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Athletics, made this announcement in a congratulatory Facebook post. “Watching a former RockHound shine never gets old,” the ballclub said. “Big congrats to Nick Kurtz on being named 2025 Rookie of the Year!”
According to Major League Baseball (MLB), Kurtz’s honor followed a year in which he first played for the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators before being promoted to the Athletics in April. The league reported that Kurtz won the award unanimously, garnering 210 points or 30 first-place votes.
Kurtz bested teammate Jacob Wilson, who also previously played for the RockHounds, to become the 14th unanimous American League Rookie of the Year honoree.
The first Athletics player to win this accolade in 16 years, the 22-year-old Kurtz logged 117 games at first base in Major League Baseball. He recorded 36 home runs, 86 RBIs, and a .290 batting average.
A graduate of Wake Forest University, Kurtz played five games for the RockHounds in 2024, achieving four hits in 30 at-bats and maintaining a .308 batting average.
Midland Times reported in late July that Kurtz, a first-round selection by the Athletics in the 2024 MLB Draft, became the first rookie to hit four home runs in a game during his team’s 15-3 victory over the Houston Astros. He was also noted as being the first player from his team to achieve such a milestone.