Elephant Rumblings: Kurtz smashes first spring dinger

MLB news roundup

Happy Monday, Athletics Nation!

A’s No. 2 prospect Nick Kurtz provided the first dramatic display of his much-heralded power in Spring Training on Saturday.

Kurtz absolutely tattooed a slider from Diamondbacks righty Tommy Henry; there was no need for this one to sneak over a corner wall.

Kurz’s homer was actually his first extra base hit in preseason play so far. He’s slugging an unremarkable .400 through 27 plate appearances in 12 games this spring. But the real story so far is Nick’s 25.9% walk rate. It’s not sustainable, but it builds on a solid history of forcing pitchers into the zone: Kurtz walked 30 percent of the time through 260 plate appearances with Wake Forest in 2024.

Shortstop Jacob Wilson is still the A’s top prospect per the new 2025 rankings at MLB Pipeline, but the A’s first draft pick of 2023 will likely graduate to rookie status soon and Kurtz is clearly the heir apparent at just 21 years old.

As it happens, Kurtz’s homer was followed by Wilson’s second of the preseason later in the same game.

MLB surveyed players on which teams are most likely to surprise in 2025, and the A’s were clear favorites. Top prospects Wilson and Kurtz and the A’s big bets on sluggers Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker make it easy to see why the green and gold might be rolling out quite a formidable lineup soon.

Have a terrific week, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• Saturday Potpourri: The Butler Did It, Health, Parking Is Such Sweet Sorrow
• A’s win double header, beat Rockies and D-Backs
• A’s lose again, fall to Guardians
• Kurtz puts the hurt on his first spring homer
• Former first-rounder looking to claim super-utility role with A’s
• From John Fisher to Marc Badain, MLB and A’s have made some odd decisions ($)
• Is this righty A’s next Rule 5 Draft gem?

MLB News & Interest:

• MLB commissioner, several owners pressuring Stu Sternberg to sell Rays as buyers eye team ($)
• Why any hope of Barry Bonds entering Baseball Hall of Fame might have just died ($)
• THE surprise team of 2025? We asked the players
• Dodgers’ Blake Snell on leaving S.F.: ‘The Giants didn’t even talk to me’ ($)
• Jurickson Profar Suffers Bone Bruise In Left Wrist
• Gerrit Cole Going For Imaging On Elbow
• Rangers Notes: Outfield, Garcia, Duran
• Dodgers’ Michael Grove Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
• Luis Rengifo Questionable For Angels’ Opening Day Roster
• José Valdivielso Passes Away
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

A beautiful grab by Clarke.

Carrying on the tradition of pitcher-friendly ballparks.