Investigating The Hype - Nick Kurtz
Nick Kurtz, the Oakland Athletics' No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, stands out as a particularly intriguing talent not only for dynasty players but for 2025 redraft leagues. Selected out of Wake Forest, Kurtz has quickly ascended through the minor leagues, showcasing a skill set that not only projects him as a future major league star but also as a cornerstone for dynasty fantasy baseball teams.
Below, I’ll break down his scouting report, performance metrics, and fantasy potential, providing a comprehensive overview for managers looking to acquire a potential top 10 talent.
Background and Draft Profile
Nick Kurtz, now 22 years old, was drafted by the Athletics in a class noted for its depth at first base, a position often light on high-end prospects. The A's signed him for $7 million, below the slot value of $8,370,800 on July 22, and he immediately began making waves. At Wake Forest, Kurtz was the best hitter in a loaded lineup, finishing his 2024 college season with a .306 average, 22 home runs, 57 RBIs, and an astonishing 78 walks compared to 42 strikeouts, earning First Team All-ACC honors. His ability to control the strike zone and generate power made him a top prospect, ranked No. 7 by MLB Pipeline in the 2024 draft class.
Scouting Report
Physically, Kurtz is an imposing 6-5, 240 lbs, with a left-handed bat that scouts grade highly. His tools, on a 20-80 scouting scale, are as follows:
|
Tool
|
Grade
|
|---|---|
|
Hit
|
60
|
|
Power
|
60
|
|
Run
|
40
|
|
Field
|
50
|
|
Arm
|
50
|
His swing is both powerful and disciplined, with exit velocities often exceeding 111 mph, placing him in the 90th percentile during his college days. This hard contact has carried over to the pros, where his swing rate has increased from 33% in college to 38% in the minors, suggesting a more aggressive approach without sacrificing his elite plate discipline. Scouts project him to have 30-home run power and draw 70-80 walks per season, making him a potential on-base machine. However, he’s limited to first base, which is a concern for positional flexibility, but his offensive upside mitigates this.
Minor League Performance
Kurtz’s professional debut was nothing short of impressive. In 50 plate appearances between High A and Double A, he posted a .368/.520/.763 line, showcasing his ability to hit for average, power, and get on base. After a hamstring injury, he returned to hit .353/.450/.608 in 60 plate appearances in the Arizona Fall League, further solidifying his readiness. The Athletics, confident in his abilities, promoted him to Triple A Las Vegas to start the 2025 season. As of early April 2025, in his first five games at Triple A, Kurtz has hit .410 with five home runs in under 40 at-bats, with ten of his 16 hits being extra-base hits. This performance, detailed in recent reports (Fantasy Baseball Prospect Report), suggests he’s major-league ready, with a slugging percentage of .909 over his first three contests (Top Fantasy Baseball Prospects).
Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Potential
For dynasty fantasy baseball managers, Nick Kurtz represents a rare combination of immediate impact potential and long-term value. His profile aligns perfectly with fantasy scoring, particularly in categories leagues where home runs, runs, RBIs, and on-base percentage are critical. His projected 30+ home runs and 70-80 walks per season make him a potential top-5 first baseman by 2026. His advanced approach with more walks (189) than strikeouts (130) over his college career speaks to his ability to adjust to big league pitching quicker than someone with a lot of swing and miss in his game.
However, there are challenges. Kurtz is currently blocked at the major league level by Tyler Soderstrom at first base and Brent Rooker at designated hitter. However, the A's may be making moves to free up space at DH with Rooker getting his first start in RF on Saturday, 4/12. In redraft leagues where roster spots are precious, Kurtz is a must-stash prospect given his callup could be coming any day now.
Conclusion
Nick Kurtz is on the fast track to stardom, both in the major leagues and in fantasy baseball. His combination of power, plate discipline, and advanced approach at the plate sets him apart from his peers. For the Oakland Athletics, he could be the best player in their lineup sooner rather than later, with rankings placing him No. 35 on the top 100 prospects list (Athletics 2025 Top 20 Prospects). For fantasy managers, especially those in dynasty leagues, acquiring Kurtz now could pay dividends for years to come. Keep an eye on this young star; he’s just getting started.