Elephant Rumblings: Kurtz among non-roster Spring Training invitees

MLB news roundup

Happy Monday, Athletics Nation!

Spring Training is right around the corner, and the youthful A’s will have a lot of young talent on display in this year’s exhibition games. Jacob Wilson, the team’s No. 1 overall prospect, seems likely to start at shortstop on Opening Day, but the remaining Top Ten have all yet to make their MLB debuts, and many will hope to force their way to the big leagues this year or next.

Nick Kurtz is the biggest name—and player—on the list of this year’s non-roster invitees. Kurtz was the A’s top pick in the 2024 draft; he’s currently expected to make his Major League debut next year according to MLB Pipeline, but many fans will get their first look at the 21-year-old this spring before the slugger begins his 2025 season at Double-A Midland.

Jason Burke at SI.com has an extensive rundown on all of the Athletics non-roster invitees, including a number of other top prospects such as Mason Barnett, Colby Thomas, Daniel Susac, Max Muncy, and Henry Bolte.

Meanwhile, A’s fans are abuzz about the team’s latest free agent signing of reliever José Leclerc. The AN community at large seems to be in agreement with LeAnalysis From Blogfatheur (that roughly translates to “The Blogfather’s Analysis,” for those of you who did not take Frenglish in junior high school) that the 31-year-old righty was a good get for the A’s and well suited as a setup man for closer Mason Miller. D’accord! Je pense que c’est bon!

Have a terrific week, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• Signing Of Reliever Begs LeAnalysis From Blogfatheur
• Athletics sign reliever José Leclerc
• Athletics’ 2025 Community Prospect List: Who is the top prospect in the organization?
• A’s Non-Roster Invitees for Spring Training
• How A’s bullpen looks after adding an arm
• A’s Still Moving to Las Vegas?
• A’s Make a Slew of Announcements, Including a Ticket Offer
• A’s DFA Pitcher From Trade with Kansas City Royals
• Boston Red Sox Add Former A’s, Braves Pitcher
• Atlanta Braves Sign Former A’s Closer

MLB News & Interest:

• Dodgers To Sign Tanner Scott
• Roki Sasaki To Sign With Dodgers
• Who are the top closers still available in free agency?
• Cardinals Notes: Payroll, Rotation, Liberatore
• Rangers Notes: deGrom, Seager, Carter, Jung
• Skenes plans to ‘listen to my gut,’ take larger clubhouse role
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Kurtz a top three 1B prospect.

If you think the labor economy at large suffers from income inequality..baseball is about as exaggerated a microcosm of the phenomenon as there is.