Nick Kurtz and Drake Baldwin have officially etched their names into baseball’s annals, earning the 2025 Rookie of the Year honors in the American and National Leagues, respectively, after breakout debut seasons that blended power, poise, and pedigree.
Kurtz, a towering presence at first base for the Oakland Athletics, delivered one of the most dominant rookie seasons in league history. The 22-year-old slugger crushed 36 home runs and posted a blistering 1.002 OPS across just 117 games. His achievements were historic and unanimous: Kurtz became the first rookie in Athletics history to slug four homers in a single game, part of a 6-for-6, eight-RBI eruption on July 25 that tied the MLB record for total bases in a game.
Beyond the milestones, Kurtz demonstrated remarkable offensive discipline and power to all fields. His league-leading 18 opposite-field home runs showcased a rare blend of strength and technical finesse. Despite a hip injury that sidelined him for part of the season, he returned even stronger, mashing his way through the summer with a torrid post-All-Star stretch that cemented his place as the AL’s top newcomer.
On the National League side, Baldwin’s rise was equally impressive. Originally expected to start the year in Triple-A, the Braves catcher was thrust into action when Sean Murphy landed on the injured list. Baldwin seized the opportunity and never looked back, batting .274 with 19 home runs while emerging as a critical presence behind the plate.
His defensive prowess stood out as much as his bat. Baldwin ranked among the elite in pitch framing and blocking, earning high marks from Atlanta’s pitching staff for his game management and poise. Offensively, his ability to adjust over the course of the season led to an OPS north of .800 in each of the final three months, a testament to his evolving approach and raw power.
With these awards, the Athletics became just the ninth team in history to claim the top two spots in AL Rookie voting, with shortstop Jacob Wilson finishing second. The Braves, meanwhile, matched the Yankees with 10 total Rookie of the Year wins, tying them for second all-time behind the Dodgers’ league-leading 18.
Together, Kurtz and Baldwin not only dominated on the field but redefined what’s possible for first-year players, setting the stage for careers that already feel destined for greatness.
Their Rookie of the Year victories also reflect broader organizational strengths. Oakland’s selection of Kurtz with the fourth overall pick in 2024 now looks like a masterstroke. The former Wake Forest standout needed just 283 days and a mere 32 Minor League games before he was crushing Major League pitching. That rapid ascent marked the sixth-fastest call-up from draft to debut in franchise history and signaled the A’s are serious about accelerating their rebuild around elite young talent.
Kurtz’s all-around metrics backed the hype. His barrel rate (18.4%) and bat speed (77.2 mph) ranked among the best in the league, placing him in the 98th percentile in both categories. Combined with a disciplined approach that yielded an 86th percentile chase rate, Kurtz emerged as not just a power threat, but a complete hitter.
Atlanta’s Baldwin proved just as vital to his team’s success, particularly behind the plate where he quickly earned trust from veterans like Chris Sale and Spencer Strider. He finished in the top 15% of the league in critical categories like strikeout rate, expected slugging, and hard-hit percentage. His mature approach extended to defense, where his +7 Blocks Above Average positioned him among the league’s best.
One of Baldwin’s defining moments came in August, when he sparked a Braves comeback with two home runs and a game-tying single against Miami. His manager at the time, Brian Snitker, drew comparisons to former Braves great Brian McCann, underscoring just how advanced Baldwin’s presence was for a rookie.
These honors also mark a return to form for franchises steeped in Rookie of the Year tradition. Baldwin joins a prestigious list of Braves alumni that includes Ronald Acuña Jr. and Craig Kimbrel, while Kurtz becomes the A’s first winner since Andrew Bailey in 2009.
Both players delivered signature moments, historic stat lines, and advanced metrics that wowed both fans and front offices. But perhaps most impressively, they turned expectations on their heads and transformed potential into production.
In a league where rookies are often given time to adjust, Kurtz and Baldwin wasted none of it. They didn’t just arrive—they erupted.
Their meteoric rises now set the stage for what could be franchise-defining careers. For Oakland, Kurtz provides a cornerstone slugger around whom the team can build. His blend of size, bat control, and field awareness is rare for a first-year player and signals a bright future for a team eager to reclaim relevance.
Atlanta, meanwhile, may have uncovered its next great catcher. Baldwin’s ability to manage a staff, deliver in clutch moments, and maintain consistent offensive production positions him as a long-term asset in a lineup already loaded with star power. His emergence allowed the Braves to weather Sean Murphy’s injury with surprising ease, and by season’s end, Baldwin had made a convincing case to remain the team’s primary catcher going forward.
Their wins also serve as a reminder of the importance of player development and scouting in today’s MLB landscape. Kurtz’s rapid rise and Baldwin’s unexpected breakout reinforce the value of identifying talent that can transition quickly and effectively to the big leagues. These rookies didn’t just adapt—they elevated.
Looking ahead, the challenge for both will be maintaining and building on these stellar debut seasons. League pitchers will inevitably adjust. Expectations will grow. But based on their first impression, Nick Kurtz and Drake Baldwin appear more than ready for the spotlight.
In a year full of storylines, their rookie campaigns stood out for their explosiveness, maturity, and impact. Baseball’s future looks a little brighter—and a lot more exciting—thanks to the breakout brilliance of Kurtz and Baldwin.
As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on how these two rising stars prepare for an encore. Kurtz’s offseason focus is likely to include fine-tuning his approach against left-handed pitching and continuing to develop his defensive versatility, especially as the A’s look to maximize his value in an evolving lineup. His rare combination of elite contact quality and opposite-field power already sets him apart, but with more experience, his ceiling could climb even higher.
For Baldwin, the winter will bring a different kind of challenge. The rigors of handling a pitching staff over a full season are uniquely demanding for catchers, and continuing to build rapport with Atlanta’s deep rotation will be key. His offensive consistency has already earned him credibility, but it’s his growing leadership behind the plate that may define his sophomore season.
Their 2025 campaigns will be remembered not only for the numbers, but for the moments—those signature games and breakthrough performances that turned doubters into believers. They didn’t just win Rookie of the Year—they made it impossible to consider anyone else.
Whether anchoring the A’s resurgence or enhancing the Braves’ championship aspirations, Nick Kurtz and Drake Baldwin have proven they belong in baseball’s spotlight. Now, as they look toward their second seasons, they won’t just be rookies with potential—they’ll be stars with expectations.