Nick Kurtz displays on his nice kind and begin to his skilled profession after turning into the primary baseman within the Oakland Athletics.
What has Kurtz mentioned?
The 21-year-old is in sizzling kind in the meanwhile after he smashed a three-run homer in Saturday’s 11-1 win over the San Jose Giants at Excite Ballpark.
It was Kurtz’s giving fourth roundtripper in his sixth sport performed with the Single-A Stockton Ports. Reflecting on the beginning he has made to his skilled profession, Kurtz mentioned: “It’s all nearly getting sizzling on the proper time.
“Baseball is such a sport of streaks and ups and downs. I had a terrific couple of weeks in Arizona and noticed numerous pitches making ready for coming right here to Stockton. Baseball is all about timing.
“Baseball is difficult. There’s numerous various things that occur in baseball. It’s not all the time going to go your manner, and when it does go your manner, benefit from it and luxuriate in it; and in case you’re at a low level, you bought to battle and work your manner again out of it.”
Kurtz’s profession to this point
Kurtz commenced his skilled profession with a formidable slash line of .409/.567/1.000. The Athletics have been notably impressed by the facility exhibited by the left-handed hitter throughout numerous areas of the sphere, however it was his plate self-discipline that actually distinguished him.
In simply six video games, he has recorded solely six strikeouts whereas drawing eight walks, together with a vital bases-loaded stroll in Saturday’s sport that contributed to a four-RBI outing. Kurtz has achieved successful in each sport of his skilled journey so far. Throughout the group, comparisons are being made between him and Matt Olson, who beforehand showcased his energy by hitting residence runs into McLeod Lake behind Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton.
Kurtz’s ascent to turning into one of the vital formidable faculty hitters within the nation is especially exceptional on condition that the Demon Deacons initially recruited him as a pitcher. He skilled a exceptional streak of 14 residence runs over 10 video games from March 31 to April 16, with a standout efficiency that includes three residence runs in opposition to Virginia.
Kurtz listed within the A’s 2024 draft decide
Earlier this yr, Kurtz proved to be a formidable problem for faculty pitchers. It has now turn into evident that the California League’s pitching workers can be unable to face up to the 65-grade energy of the A’s 2024 first-round Draft choice.
The lineup for the Ports featured Joshua Kuroda-Grauer (third spherical, No. 13 prospect), Rodney Inexperienced (fourth spherical, No. 22), Tommy White (second spherical, No. 4), and Kurtz occupying the primary by way of fourth positions. This group collectively achieved 10 hits, with Inexperienced delivering an excellent efficiency that included his inaugural skilled residence run, a three-run blast to middle area.
“After three years in faculty, you realize what good chemistry is and what’s going to make a very good workforce,” Kurtz mentioned. “We now have all these points and are capable of have enjoyable collectively day by day and we get pleasure from one another’s firm.”