Nick Kurtz’s power display already has become the stuff of highlight reels for the Athletics just 37 games into his major-league career.
The 22-year-old has belted three game-winning homers in the last five games for the Athletics, who open a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night at West Sacramento, Calif.
Kurtz hit two walk-off two-run homers during a four-game series split with the Houston Astros. He also smacked a tiebreaking blast in the ninth inning of Sunday’s victory over the host Kansas City Royals.
The left-handed-hitting Kurtz has eight homers in the past 14 games, sandwiched around an injured list stint due to a hip flexor injury. His winning blast in the 10th inning of Thursday’s 6-4 victory came against southpaw closer Josh Hader, known for being tough on lefties.
“It is an unreal feeling,” Kurtz said of the walk-offs against Houston. “Two times in one week is pretty incredible. Glad to come through in a big moment and get the win.”
Kurtz was the No. 4 overall pick out of Wake Forest in 2024, and the Athletics didn’t think he would need much seasoning.
That said, he’s already exceeding expectations. Not just with power, but his maturity, instincts and professionalism.
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay also went the college baseball route and he was no slouch, winning the 1995 Golden Spikes Award for Cal State Fullerton.
“When we got him, I knew there was something special about him but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it,” Kotsay said. “… The word I use to describe him is he’s an Alpha and I love that about him. That’s a special quality.”
Kurtz’s homer was one of four for the Athletics on Thursday. Willie MacIver, Lawrence Butler and Jacob Wilson also went deep. MacIver’s homer was his first in the majors.
Meanwhile, the Guardians are looking for their bats to show up as they enter the final third of a nine-game West Coast road trip.
The Guardians are 2-4 and have scored just 13 runs on the excursion. Cleveland scored five runs while being swept in three games by the Seattle Mariners and then tallied eight while taking two of three from the San Francisco Giants.
The Guardians combined for 12 strikeouts in Thursday’s 2-1 loss to the Giants, including nine in seven innings against San Francisco ace Logan Webb.
“Webb was disgusting,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “The sinker is running almost 20 inches. The slider is running almost 20 inches. His changeup was going straight down, and his cutter keeps you honest. We were fortunate to scrape one across.”
The Guardians’ run scored on Carlos Santana’s third-inning single. Steven Kwan had three hits and Angel Martinez added two.
Cleveland’s woes started before the road trip. The Guardians have dropped nine of their past 13 games and Thursday’s loss marked the sixth time they scored two or fewer runs during the stretch.
Cleveland right-hander Tanner Bibee (4-6, 3.79 ERA) will be looking to halt a four-start winless stretch. Bibee is 1-4 over his last seven outings.
Bibee, 26, received a no-decision against the Mariners on Saturday when he gave up two runs and four hits over five innings.
Bibee is 1-0 with a 4.66 ERA in two career starts against the Athletics. Brent Rooker (1-for-5) has homered off Bibee while Gio Urshela is hitless in nine at-bats.
Left-hander Jeffrey Springs (5-5, 4.52) will start for the Athletics. He is winless (0-2) over his lpast six starts.
Springs, 32, pitched well in a no-decision against the Royals on Sunday. He gave up two runs and seven hits over six innings.
Springs is 0-1 with a 2.63 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) against the Guardians. Santana (1-for-2) and Jose Ramirez (1-for-6) have both homered off Springs.
–Field Level Media
