Nick Kurtz Emerges as Top First Baseman, Poised for Continued Success with Oakland Athletics

Nick Kurtz, the fourth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, had a breakout 2025 season, establishing himself as a consistent producer and ranking fourth among first basemen. After an aggressive promotion to Triple-A and then the majors, the 22-year-old initially struggled, hitting .245/.315/.447 with five home runs and a 33.3% strikeout rate through May. However, he caught fire from June 1st, posting an impressive .304/.403/.669 with 31 home runs and 71 RBI in 89 games, finishing the season with a .290/.383/.619 slash line, 36 homers, 90 runs, 86 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. Despite a 30% strikeout rate, his growth and high upside, especially playing in hitter-friendly Sacramento, position him as the top-ranked first baseman for 2026 fantasy projections.