A’s first-round pick Kurtz earns quick promotion to Double-A originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Athletics are already promoting their first-round pick from the 2024 MLB Draft.
Oakland is moving first baseman Nick Kurtz, the No. 4 overall selection, to Double-A Midland after he dominated at Low-A Stockton, A’s general manager David Forst said Monday (courtesy of Martín Gallegos of MLB.com).
Kurtz played just seven games for the Stockton Ports after being drafted on July 14.
The Wake Forest product impressively — and quickly — collected 10 hits and 12 RBI in just 25 plate appearances, with 10 walks to go along with seven strikeouts. Kurtz slashed .400/.571/.960 with four homers and two doubles.
The game simply wasn’t difficult enough for the 21-year-old.
“First of all, it’s where the opening was at first base,” Forst told Chris Townsend on “A’s Cast” about Kurtz’s promotion Monday. “Midland is up two games with four weeks to play. They’re in a playoff race. It’s a good place to be. It just made sense. He effectively cosplayed Matt Olson in A-ball.
“It just wasn’t good for his development. So we wanted to challenge him. Double-A has a little bit more to go in their season than [High-A] Lansing does that. And they have a shot at a playoff spot. He could potentially play five more weeks there. So it just made sense on a lot of levels.”
Forst is convinced that Kurtz can gain more experience at a worthwhile level of competition in Midland.
Kurtz hit .333/.510/725 over three seasons at Wake Forest, finishing with 189 hits and 61 home runs.
If he bears any resemblance to Olson, a two-time MLB All-Star who spent six of his nine-year career with Oakland, the A’s have another face of the franchise in their ranks.
Kurtz could make his big league debut soon as he is now just one call-up away from the majors.
Oakland recently acquired its top prospect, Jacob Wilson, for a brief stint with the A’s in July after he had played in just 72 minor league games.
Kurtz could potentially earn similar treatment if he keeps the ball rolling.
