The Oakland Athletics' powerhouse rookie who redefined single-game records
In short: In July 2025, Nick Kurtz did something never before seen in Major League Baseball history. The Oakland Athletics first baseman became the first rookie to hit four home runs in a single game, a feat that sent shockwaves through the league and signaled the arrival of a new superstar.
Nick Kurtz, nicknamed "Big Amish" due to his 6 ft 5 in stature and Lancaster, Pennsylvania roots, has rapidly ascended from college stardom to MLB dominance. After a standout career at Wake Forest University—where he became the program's all-time leader in walks with 189—Kurtz was selected fourth overall in the 2024 MLB draft by the Oakland Athletics. He signed for a $7 million bonus, a testament to the immense expectations surrounding his professional debut.
His rookie season in 2025 was nothing short of historic. Beyond his four-home-run game against the Houston Astros, Kurtz tied Shawn Green's 23-year-old record for total bases in a single game with 19. He also demonstrated extraordinary power, hitting a 493-foot grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds, a blast that tied the longest home run in two years by Shohei Ohtani and stands as the longest Athletics homer since Statcast began tracking in 2015.
The 2026 season saw Kurtz cement his status as an elite talent. He tied Mark McGwire's 1996 Athletics record for the longest on-base streak, reaching base in 48 consecutive games starting in April. Despite a right thumb strain that landed him on the 60-day injured list in August, his impact was undeniable. He earned his first All-Star selection as an American League reserve, stepping in for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. before his injury forced him to withdraw from the game.
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